ABOVE: Some of Stephanie Kay Spencer’s unique art work, which is on display now at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT– Stephanie Kay Spencer, an artist based out of Blue Earth, currently has nearly 20 large-sized landscape paintings on display at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont. Her work can be seen there through Sept. 21.

Spencer has called Blue Earth home for more than 30 years. While she had an interest in art in high school, she didn’t start painting until the last few years.

“I started painting during Covid. I have a friend who’s a very successful artist and he was offering art classes over Zoom,” Spencer explained. “I told my sister that we needed some social interactions so we were going to join.”

She latched onto the classes and began painting in earnest and her craft has taken off from there.

“I do acrylic on canvas and oil on canvas. I use a pallet knife, not a brush, which makes a big difference. You don’t see a lot of pallet knives used and it has an effect of a more impressionistic look, which a lot of people like,” Spencer said.

Spencer said she believes what sets her pieces apart is the unusual texture. She gets her acrylic paints specially made from an artist in Florida.

Mainly, she paints flowers and landscapes though she’s done some horses, too. Spencer said she’s not big into abstract though she has sold a painting titled “abstract flowers.”

“The flowers were like lines of paint on the canvas, very loose and very abstract. But typical abstract, I haven’t done a lot of that,” Spencer said.

Another thing to note about her work is the size. Most of her pieces are 36” by 48″ but some are 30” by 40.”

“I like painting big paintings but the problem is most people don’t have the space so I go through spurts. You need to have a variety because people have varying spaces in their homes,” Spencer said.

While this is her first time having work on display at the Red Rock Center, Spencer is no stranger to exhibits and art shows. She also currently has work on display at Chankaska Winery in Kasota.

Previously she’s had an exhibition on display at the Four Pillars Gallery in New Ulm and at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.

As for how her work comes to be on display, Spencer said it’s a mixture of people reaching out to her and vice versa.

“I’m reaching out to the Lakes Art Center in Spirit Lake. I’m hoping to have a couple pieces in the next exhibition they have in November,” Spencer said.

Her work can be viewed on her website, stephaniekayart.com. It includes images of available artwork as well as pieces that have already been sold.

While a date for an artist meet and greet has not been set, one may take place. Details will be made available by the Red Rock Center for the Arts.