Stephanie Harlan Art

25/10/2026

When your artist mum paints her easel drawer shut and you need to take desperate measures 🤣🥰

22/10/2026

I've been a little quiet on here lately, but that doesn't mean I've stopped creating 💜

The truth is, social media takes a lot out of you. I don't think most artists start painting because they dream of becoming content creators. We just want to make art, get lost in the process and hopefully connect with people who feel something when they see our work.

But the social media gods don't quite see it that way. If we're not constantly posting, sharing, making reels or creating *engaging content*, we slowly disappear from people's feeds.

And I just can't bring myself to do the whole turning a painting around to reveal it trick!

Sometimes I just want to paint. Without thinking about whether I've filmed enough of the process, taken the right photos or figured out what to say about it afterwards.

So while things might have been a little quiet on here, they certainly haven't been quiet behind the scenes.

I've still been creating, experimenting, making messes and getting lost in the things I love.

And today, that means taking an unfinished painting outside into the sunshine, surrounded by flowers, blue skies and a pretty beautiful view.

No clever content strategy. Just me, my art and a little bit of sunshine.

And actually, that's exactly how I like it 💜

30/09/2026

'Photo's don't do it justice' is a beautiful compliment I get regularly on my pieces. Come and see for yourself at the Tauranga Society of Artists Expo at Tauranga Boys' College Gala is this evening and then open daily until 3pm Sunday 💜

24/09/2026

Breaking Point

I painted this the night of my first ADHD consultation.

It had become pretty evident during that conversation that yep... there were a LOT of ADHD traits there 😅
I felt like I could finally let go a little. Like maybe there was an explanation for parts of myself I'd spent years trying to understand.

So this came out. And the title isn't what you think, this isn't 'I'm at my breaking point', this is when the tide smashes against the rocks, or when those really rough rumbly sets come through. I just wanted to capture that moment, because it felt like the peak of something, or it coming to a head. So 'Breaking Point' depicts that moment.

My work has always come from a really personal place - what I'm feeling, what I'm processing, where I'm growing. I've always been open about mental health and I'll always advocate for talking about it.

I'm glad my wee community is here for the journey with me - the messy bits, the growth, and everything that ends up on the canvas 💜

This piece will be at the Tauranga Society of Artists Expo next weekend at Tauranga Boys' College

22/09/2026

Breaking down the stigma of a diagnosis through creativity. Such a meaningful exhibition, I hope you'll come and see it if you're in Tauranga 💜

We are getting SO excited for THIS FRIDAY!
Here's a sneak peek to what you can look forward to seeing at our upcoming annual awareness event - Artful Mind Exhibition 💜
People's Gallery, Historic Village with The Incubator Creative Hub launching 5.30pm this Friday, exhibition running from 26th Sept - 17th Oct 10am - 3pm.

20/09/2026

Thank you Envirohub Bay of Plenty and Creative Bay of Plenty - Te Waka Auaha Toi for such an important and meaningful event - was fun to be part of it 💜 I won't tag them because it hasn't been announced on socials yet but huge congratulations to two of my creative friends taking out 1st and 3rd place 🥰😍🙌

17/09/2026

Come and see me and 9 other finalists this weekend at the Cargo Shed 💜

17/09/2026

Woop woop! Wellington Art Show here I come 😍

16/09/2026

My work is heavily based around mental health, what the beach and ocean mean to me in that context and the journeys we go through in life. This is my latest journey, I'm interested to see how it will come through in my work