Hello everyone! Welcome to the Spring 2026 semester! I hope you are just as excited to meet this semester’s selection of student artists as I am!

This week, I have another fantastic artist to introduce to you! This student is one of the most creative minds I have ever met, and she tackles every new challenge with finesse, skill, and ingenuity. I first met this artist my first semester here at Marywood, and have only continued to be blown away by this student’s work. I would like you to meet…

Stephanie Fenescey

I am majoring in Art because…

Ever since I was young, I’ve been creating in some sort of way. Whether it was making dragons out of paper or simply drawing, I was always doing something creative. As I got older and had the opportunity to take art classes in high school, I knew what I wanted to go to college for and what I wanted to do as a career. I wanted to create art. I wanted to draw and make interesting work that people wanted to look at, but especially something I could be proud of. I think my major has allowed me to do exactly that.

The kinds of things that inspire me are…

Things around me, such as the people in my life. My friends, especially, have been a big inspiration for my work recently. Content and media like movies, TV shows, and video games have also really inspired my work, things like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Little Nightmares, and even the Call of Duty series, to name a few.

My favorite art class so far was…

Character Design with Ky Betts. That class helped me progress my art in so many ways. Creating characters was never my strong suit, but this class helped me find a love for character design.

When I am not in class…

I’m playing games with my friends, drawing, reading, doing homework, or just hanging out on campus.

The coolest thing I have done at Marywood so far was…

Going on the spring Philadelphia trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art last year. I was able to explore the city and not only see amazing artwork, but also visit Eastern State Penitentiary and learn about the building and its history.

When I graduate…

I hope to get a job in the art field, preferably doing something related to animation and/or video game concept design.

I would recommend the Art program at Marywood because…

I have had such amazing opportunities through this program and have learned so much. I’ve grown with my art in ways I never thought possible. The faculty are always knowledgeable and willing to push you further than you think you are capable of.

What excites me most about Art is…

Being able to bring stories to life. Creating elements of a narrative through art is always fun, and designing characters and environments are some of my favorite things to do. I also love learning from others around me. I’m surrounded by so many talented students, teachers, and friends, and seeing what they create and the stories they tell is just as exciting if not more than seeing what I can do myself.

What keeps you motivated to continue with art when projects get difficult?

Knowing that in the end I’ve created something I can be proud of, and something that pushes me forward in my creative journey. All-nighters and long workdays can be exhausting, but the end results are often some of my best work and the pieces I look back on the most.

If you were any kind of art tool or medium, what would you be, and why?

I think I would be a colored pencil. It represents a sense of nostalgia from being a kid again. We have so many amazing ways to create art, but colored pencils will always be there. I think I can relate to that as a person as well, I’ll always be here, and I’d like to think I’m pretty reliable.

How do you know when you have finished a piece? Do you think art is ever really finished?

Once a piece reaches a point where I feel it is good enough to share, I consider it “finished.” However, I don’t think art is ever truly finished. I could come back to a piece a week, a month, or even years later and still find things to change or improve. We are always learning new techniques and ideas, and those can be applied to older work. I often look back at pieces I made as a freshman and see things I could improve now as a sophomore, based on what I’ve learned since then.

---

I really hope that you all enjoyed getting to know the amazing Stephanie Fenescey! Every time I look at her art, I am impressed, again and again! I really love her self-portrait; the extreme angle is such a compelling composition and the colors work so well together! Like a neodymium magnet, I am also drawn to her piece, “It Gives You Freedom.” This digital photo collage is so well composed, and I am in love with the blend of classical and modern elements! There is just so much meaning woven into this piece. Furthermore, this piece has incredible balance and harmony. Above all, I am Stephanie’s biggest fan when it comes to her character designs! She has a very well-defined, spunky, and dynamic style that works well in all of her different characters. I am flabbergasted by how incredible she is at creating a diverse expanse of characters, while still staying true to her own artistic voice and style. Stephanie is truly a stellar student and artist, and Marywood is lucky to have her!

Until next time!

-Rebecca Prowse