here at maman, we take pride in finding and fostering beauty wherever we go. from the warm ambiance and  rustic aesthetic of our cafés, right down to the vintage blue & white china, no detail goes unnoticed. as we branch out and open locations in new neighborhoods, we hope to recreate a bit of that same magic while also introducing new traditions.

in the spirit of collaboration, a custom cup competition was born. ahead of our first dc location in bethesda, maryland, we held a cup artist contest to celebrate local talent. after careful consideration, we were pleased to announce bethesda fine artist, stefanie stark, as the winner of our inaugural competition. her beautiful abstract designs and artistry completely won us over. it was our pleasure to work with her and reimagine her artwork as a patterned cup design.

meet stefanie stark:

stefanie stark is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed abstract artist based in bethesda, maryland who gathers inspiration from humanity and nature, particularly floral and fauna. her preferred medium is acrylics on canvas or on paper, and she’s perhaps best known for her abstract flower paintings and contemporary abstract paintings. through the layering of painterly brushstrokes, stefanie is masterful at creating evocative paintings that are bold and colorful, yet soft and serene.  

get to know stefanie stark with this fun q&a!

1. when did you know that you wanted to be an artist?

actually, as a girl, i had a book called “My Book About Me,” in which you fill in the blanks all about yourself. i came across it a few years ago, and loved seeing that for the question, “when i grow up, i want to be _____” i filled in the blank with “an artist.”

2. did you study art in school or are you self taught?

although art was my favorite subject in elementary school, i didn’t pursue it in high school or college. i’ve always been creative, but it wasn’t until my 40s that i started to focus on painting. i don’t have formal training, but have taken a few online courses and have done a lot of research and reading. so, mostly self-taught.

3. did growing up in Bethesda inspire any of your work? 

i grew up in washington dc, and moved to bethesda after getting married. i remember bethesda when there wasn’t much here! now it’s a thriving town with all sorts of activity.  it doesn’t inspire my artwork, per se, but i love living and working here (both my home and my studio are close to downtown bethesda and the location of maman!)

4. what are 3 of your favorite spots or activities to do in bethesda?

• bethesda row. fortuitously, for many years, my girlfriends and i have met regularly for lunch on bethesda row. needless to say, we can’t wait for maman to open and we will surely be regulars!
• the bethesda farm market. i love browsing the bethesda farm market on sundays where vendors and artisan food producers gather and offer fresh vegetables and fruits, breads and baked goods, fresh cheeses, seafood and more. if we have time (there’s usually a line) my daughter and i like to get one of rita’s savory or sweet crepes.
• plaza art. this bethesda art store is like a candy shop for me, with all the tools and art supplies i could ask for! it’s only a few blocks from my studio which comes in handy when i find i need something. i’ve been known to enlist my daughter to help me walk particularly large canvases over to my studio! i started out at home in our basement in bethesda, but i now have a light-filled studio space just minutes away from my home in bethesda, in the woodmont triangle area. it is an escape for me, a place i can freely create. it’s nice to be able to take breaks and walk out and grab lunch, coffee or a gelato!

5. do you have any rituals that you like to do before you start a new piece of art?

i tend to just dive in, but listening to music helps me get lost in what i am doing in a good way. 

6. what’s your favorite medium to work with?

acrylic paint is my mainstay, but i sometimes incorporate pencil and oil pastel marks in my paintings which adds a different element.

7. where do you get your inspiration from for your work?

nature, and in particular, flora and fauna, inspire much of my work. i’m fascinated by the beauty and delicacy of flowers, and i also marvel at the life stages as seen in flowers and plants, finding beauty even when they wilt and decompose. i find hope in the resiliency of nature, and love is also in all my paintings – and the full range of emotions we experience in the relationships that matter to us. other natural elements such as sunlight, water, wind and clouds also influence me.

8. describe your artistic process: are you a planner or more go-with-the flow?

a little of both, but mostly go with the flow. i might have some ideas of what i want to do when i start,  but once i begin, it’s a dance between me and the work. each mark affects the next. it’s a process of adding and removing and then adding more, and so on, and of letting it flow organically and then studying it thoughtfully to improve the work.

9. if you could only pick 3 kinds of art supplies to work with, what would you choose?

acrylic paint, paint brush, and pencil. 

10. what kind of color palette do you like to work with?

it varies depending on my mood. i love blues, green, and neutrals. but sometimes pops of pink, lavender, yellow or other brighter colors work their way in, and a bit of black can enhance everything. 

11. what advice would you give to your younger self?

pursue what interests you! do something that excites and nourishes you. and it’s never too late.

12. what advice would you give to aspiring artists? 

you have to make a lot of bad art to get better, so get started, keep going. and don’t quit. seek information and answers that will help along the way, from books, the web, other artists, museums and galleries, etc. i enjoy helping artists who are just starting out and recently started doing some artist coaching as a result.

 in addition to her limited edition to-go cups, you can also find stefanie stark’s artwork on display {and available for sale on consignment} around our bethesda café.