Country Music Highway US23 is known for producing some of America’s most beloved country artists. From Loretta Lynn, to Dwight Yoakam, The Judds and Patty Loveless, the legendary Country Music Highway proves that Appalachian culture is ripe with talent. However, Eastern Kentucky talent is not only found in music, but also in the realms of painting, drawing, crafts and photography. Pike County Tourism CVB welcomes you to discover the work of our regional artists with the US23 Artists blog series.
Stephanie Conley Jarrell: Photographer & Artist
Photographer Stephanie Lynn hails from Oil Springs, Kentucky, just a stone throw’s away from Butcher Holler, home of the legendary country music artists Loretta Lynn. Like many Appalachian people, Stephanie is a family person, and when her grandmother Erie fell and broke her hip, she was by her side for 8 ½ years until she passed away in 2006. Stephanie loved taking photos of her grandma, despite her protests.
In December, 2006, Stephanie met Ron Jarrell, and they later started Jarrco Advertising & Specialties. Her experience with the company made her realize that she needed to increase her skillset to fully realize her passion for photography and art. In 2009, she enrolled at Big Sandy Community & Technical College, where she took graphic design classes, graduating with an Associates Degree in Design & Technology. She also received 7 certificates, one of which was in digital photography. Her instructor, Lori Lewis and her assistant Brittany Carpenter were a huge influence on her development as a graphic designer.
One challenge stood in Stephanie’s way of fully realizing her passion, her vision. “I had cataracts and didn’t know it. It became really hard for me to see. I was told I was legally blind, even with glasses on, but I didn’t let that stop me from doing what I had always wanted to do, so I had surgery.” Stephanie said. “I noticed a tremendous improvement in my work.”
You will find some examples of Stephanie’s work below. Feel free to visit her facebook page, Stephanie Lynn Visual Designer & Photographer, at: www.facebook.com/stephanielynnvisualdesigner.
Stephanie Conley Jarrell Gallery
If you would like to be featured in a US23 Artists article, contact us at marketing@tourpikecounty.com. While we cannot guarantee that your article will be selected, we would love to see your work.
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