Category: Maine Art Collective

Maine Art Collective, 9 Mouton St, Portland, Maine

Meet the Artist: Stacy Lodato, First Friday, May 1, 5-8 PM.

Visit with Stacy, see her current artwork and learn about her art and inspirations.

Saltwater Marshes, Seascapes and Landscapes

Shady Side Version 2

Stacey Lodato’s creative journey began at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where she studied art and interior design. After two decades working with architectural and design firms, she founded SDL Designs—a full-service building and interior design company. Over the past ten years, Stacey has focused primarily on developing her art practice, bringing her talents to new heights.

As a founding member of the Meetinghouse Arts gallery in Freeport, Stacey played a pivotal role in its growth; serving on the board of directors from 2020 to 2024, then acting as gallery director and show curator until 2026. Today, she helping shape the local arts community through the gallery committee and as an artist member. Her art is also at the Maine Art Collective gallery on Moulton Street in Portland, Maine.

Stacey lives and works in Freeport, maintaining a full-time studio along Maine’s picturesque mid coast, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty around her.

Skinny Water

ARTIST STATEMENT

Stacey’s paintings are deeply influenced by Maine’s saltwater marshes, landscapes, and seascapes. She enjoys exploring how objects interact to define shapes, light, color, and patterns. Working with a traditional palette of warm and cool colors, Stacey pays careful attention to values, aiming to create richness and visual interest in her pieces.

Experimentation is at the heart of her creative process. Stacey regularly tries new techniques, styles, and media—including printmaking, ceramics, and fiber arts. She participates in workshops and classes, both live and online, with artists such as Philip Frey, Patty Molica, Scott Gellatly, and Liz Prescott. For Stacey, art is an ever-evolving journey, and she embraces the excitement of continuous growth and exploration.

The story of Stacey Lodato is one of dedication, community involvement, and a passion for artistic discovery. Her work reflects the beauty of Maine and her commitment to lifelong learning, inspiring others to find creativity in their own journeys.

Between

Beyond it all, are the passions that drive Stacy to create. More directly from her.

A Creative Life: From Kitchen Tables to Studio Practice

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to making art.

Some of my earliest memories are of sitting at a friend’s kitchen table, completely captivated. Her older sister would always have a project spread out—paints, paper, fabric, something in progress. I would watch, fascinated, and whenever she invited us to join in, I was all in. There was something magical about the act of creating, about turning simple materials into something expressive and alive.

By the time I was in grade school, art had already claimed me. It wasn’t just a subject I enjoyed—it was the one that felt natural, intuitive, and endlessly engaging.

Growing Up Creative

My childhood was shaped not only by art, but by change. Our family moved frequently, and with each new home came a transformation. My mother would design and redesign every space we lived in, bringing personality and warmth into unfamiliar places. Some might describe her as having a “flair” for design—but to me, she was (and is) an artist. That was her medium, her way of expressing creativity.

So when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer came easily: interior designer.

It felt like a natural extension of what I had seen and loved.

Learning the Language of Art

In college, I followed that instinct and studied art and design—but I didn’t want to limit myself. I took every class I could: watercolor, printmaking, painting, drawing, 3D design, even an introduction to graphic design. Each one offered a new way of seeing and making.

Later on, I explored ceramics as well, continuing to expand my creative vocabulary. That curiosity has never really left me. Even now, I’m drawn to workshops and classes—not just to learn new techniques, but to witness how other artists think, work, and solve creative problems. There’s always something to absorb, some new perspective to carry forward.

A Creative Career—and a Return

After college, interior design became both a career and a practical path forward. It allowed me to support myself while staying connected to creativity, much like my mother had done.

I spent 20 years working with architectural and design firms, building a career rooted in aesthetics, structure, and function. Then, after my son was born, I made the decision to go out on my own.

What followed was a gradual but meaningful shift—one that brought me back to a more personal, expressive art practice.

For the past 10 years, that has been my focus.

Inspiration Everywhere

People often ask if there was one artist who inspired me most. The truth is, there hasn’t been just one.

There have been dozens—traditional and contemporary artists whose work has excited me, challenged me, and expanded my thinking. Each has contributed something to the way I see and create.

But if I’m honest, the deepest influence came much earlier. It came from growing up in a creative environment—watching, absorbing, participating. That foundation made art feel not just like something I did, but something I needed to do.

Still Creating

Art has never been a straight path for me. It’s been something that’s woven through every stage of my life—sometimes in the foreground, sometimes running quietly in the background.

But it’s always been there.

And now, it feels like I’ve come full circle—back to creating for the sake of creating, grounded in a lifetime of experiences, influences, and curiosity.

Thank you for being part of that journey.

Stacy Lodato April 2026