BIOGRAPHY

Trained as an oboist with degrees from The Juilliard School, I had a long career as director of three community arts schools, Newark School of the Arts in New Jersey, Third Street Music School Settlement in New York and Portland Conservatory of Music in Maine. In addition to musical performing, I have also been a programmer designing software to manage arts schools.

 Following my father’s interest in photography I became interested as a young adult in Polaroid ‘s ability to show immediate results to assist in obtaining optimum photographs.  The process, however, was hampered by the cost of film and the difficulty of refining images once developed.  The problems were mitigated by digital technology that became widely available at the turn of the century. and it was at this point that I took a serious interest in becoming a visual artist.  I have since catalogued more than 200 framed images of people and nature.

 I paint through photography, and I will often abstract images over time to satisfy ideas I get through my imagination.  I use a very high-quality printer to obtain the best results.  I dislike making copies; I am always looking for refinement.

Stephen Shiman

Februariy 1, 2024