Stallman Studio is a unique duo of artists: Stephen Stum and Jason Hallman. In the studio, the two interlace their ideas much like the cut canvas interlaces in their work. Striving to pioneer a new technique known as Canvas on Edge, Stallman challenges traditional ideas of painting and drawing using canvas strips to sculpt out each composition. The end result: an energetic line drawing made of sophisticated gradients of painted color.

The two Pacific-Northwest-based artists draw inspiration from energy emanated from nature. In some pieces, waves of deep blue transition to lighter shades of seagreen and suddenly bump against an almost white ridge of canvas. Their paintings are full of movement and often resonate ripples of water, heat waves, or sunsets. In others, the color palette is subdued and the canvas twists into organic loops, appearing floral in form. Layers of colored canvas seem to vibrate across the surface as they guide the viewer’s eye around the painting.

For Stallman, the harmony within the paintings starts in the studio, where both Hallman and Stum respond to and influence each individual gesture made. This process of creating together echoes their interest in symmetry and balance. The inquisitive and playful nature of their practice is carried on for the viewer in the mystery of sculpted canvas. They find themselves intrigued and eager to discover different perspectives of color as they move to the other side of the painting.

Stallman belongs to many private collections and has shown in galleries across the world including Chicago, New York City, Singapore, London, and Paris.