ABOUT THE ARTIST
Stacey High is a self-taught oil painter who discovered her signature style through an unexpected love of imperfection. Frustrated with the time-consuming upkeep of expensive brushes, Stacey set them aside in favor of a more intimate, intuitive approach: painting entirely with her hands.
Using only her palms, fingertips, nails, and knuckles, Stacey connects with her work in the most direct way possible. Her brushless technique allows her to fully engage with the tactile richness of oils, building layered textures that invite viewers to not only see the art, but feel it. Her process is both methodical and emotional, grounded in a desire to create without barriers and to make every piece deeply personal.
MATERIALS
Stacey works exclusively in oil paint, occasionally blending with linseed oil for flexibility and finish. To maintain the sensitivity of her hands-on method, she avoids traditional canvas, which she finds too coarse for her technique. Instead, she paints on custom-built birch panels, chosen for their ultra-smooth surface. Each panel is framed in oak trim, treated and stained by hand to complement the natural grain and give each finished piece a sense of timeless craftsmanship.
CONNECTION
For Stacey, painting is a full-sensory experience. She doesn’t just create a scene - she steps into it. Whether painting a portrait or imagining a story from scratch, she immerses herself completely in the world of the subject.
When working on a person, she listens to their favorite music. If the subject is floral or nature-based, she opens the studio windows to let in the sounds and scents of the outdoors. And when the piece is purely from imagination, she lets her internal narratives guide every movement of her hands. This deep connection to the subject - emotional, physical, and environmental - shapes every painting she creates.
Click the image to explore a playlist of music connected to the people and stories behind Stacey’s paintings.
Image captured by the artist, Stacey High
A Corner Outdone
Oil on Birch Panel by Stacey High
INSPIRATION
Stacey draws inspiration from everyday moments, the quiet strength of humble people, and the beauty found in contrast: movement and stillness, complexity and elegance, confidence and vulnerability.
While she may explore themes through series work, her creative energy rarely stays in one place for long. She follows her instincts, letting her curiosity lead the way. From portraits and florals to abstract expression, each piece is a new opportunity to discover, connect, and create.
WHY G.G. HIGH ART
G.G. High Art is named after Stacey’s dad, Gerald Gray High, who inspired her to take chances, “milk each day”, and bring good ideas to life.
(Pictured: G.G. High and his twin brother Sherald, in their younger days.)