Stefanie Bales standing in front of her sunset mural.

2019 Highlights

Hello and Happy New Year! (though how is it already February?!) I intended to send this about 3 weeks ago, but I’m happy to report that I’ve been preoccupied having the best month in the history of my business this January! Among other things, I sold 7 original paintings this month and am hoping that the rest of 2020 will maintain the same trajectory.  Anyway, here’s a quick look back on the highlights of 2019, what I’m currently working on, and what’s on deck! (Be sure to scroll to the end for some important updates/changes).

  1. Highlight of 2019! SBFA was voted as the Silver Winner for Best Art Gallery by San Diego Downtown News.
  2. My art was published in San Diego Home Garden and Lifestyle (twice!) In Her Studio MagazineThere San Diego (3 times!), and was featured on Fox 5 San Diego News.
  3. I was accepted as a member of the exclusive Female Founders Collective created by Rebecca Minkoff. (My new calendar was featured in their 2019  holiday gift guide!)
  4. I painted 7 murals this year: at Frost Me Gourmet, The Carlsbad Forum, The Dailey Method, The Flower Hill Mall, and in 3 private residences.
  5. I was a finalist for Honeybook + The Rising Tide Society’s “20 on the Rise.”
  6. I spoke on my first public panel about defining, creating, and growing a strong brand organically. (Hoping to do more of this in 2020!)
  7. I created my first large-scale interior installation with my brand manager Angela Garzon. It’s called: “Sogno Di Nuvole” which is Italian for “Cloud Dreams.”
  8. I collaborated with Neyenesch Printers (again!) to create custom greeting cards for Creative Mornings San Diego.
  9. I sold 13 original paintings and completed an additional 6 commissioned paintings.
  10. I hosted 4 watercolor workshops– 3 in my gallery and one for the San Diego chapter of Ladies Wine Design.

I’m excited to share these 2019 highlights. It was definitely a year of growth- both personally and professionally, and I’m SO excited to see what the rest of 2020 has in store for me, my family and my business.

San Diego Home and Garden featuring Stefanie Bales Fine Artist
Artist Stefanie Bales stands in front of her mural at Flower Hill Market in San Diego, CA.

My first big project of the New Year was a really unique and special one. I was commissioned by a local biopharma company to create a painting of a ribbon diagram of a new revolutionary biotherapeutic drug they have developed. It was such a fun challenge and change of pace!

A commission by Stefanie Bales Fine Art
Watercolor Workshop with Stefanie Bales Fine Art in Little Italy, San Diego.

I hosted two botanical themed watercolor workshops in the gallery on
Sunday, February 9. For future workshops, click here to see our event schedule.

SOLD!

These beauties (and more!) new homes in the month of February.

SUMMER SUN 40″ X 30″
found a home in San Diego

CERULEAN 14′ X 11′
found a home in the UK

SEAFOAM 16″ X 20″
Found a home in Texas

As always, thanks so much for your continued support of my creative work and of my small business. These 2019 highlights wouldn’t be possible without you.

With love and gratitude,
Stefanie