Filarsky Brown Art Studio
Who We Are
Meet Theresa and Steve
Filarsky Brown Art Studio is made up of M Theresa Brown and Stephen Filarsky. We are long time experienced artists who have traveled the country participating in art shows, events, workshops and seminars for our clients and students!
Oil Painting Guide
M Theresa Brown
Meet Theresa
I am a long time professional portrait artist, painter and fiber artist whose career embraces many areas of the Arts. I attended East Carolina University, majoring in Commercial Art and Printmaking. Years of Commissioned portrait painting, printmaking and color work led me to explore the fiber arts. Using many similar skills and accumulated knowledge, I expanded my range as a hand painter and ecoprinter on leather and fabric.
I use natural dyes and low impact synthetic dyes and merge them into unique, beautiful designs on silk, wool and leather. I transform the finished fabric into artisanal clothing, accessories and art. I have taught workshops at many Fiber Shows such as Maryland Sheep and Wool (MDSW), Michigan Fiber Fest (MFF), Southeastern Animal Fiber Fest (SAFF), Kentucky, Wisconsin, Blue Ridge, Carolina Fiber Fest as well as art centers and shows around the country as well as at my own studio
On the Painting side, I am delighted that my award winning fine art portraits are hanging in homes and businesses worldwide. I’ve illustrated books for major publishing companies, written audio ebooks and “How To” painting DVD’s for the nationwide art supply store, Jerrysartarama.com. I am a motivational speaker for art groups interested in the working artist. Many of my articles appear in Ezine Magazines as well as Art Blogs. My artist husband, Stephen Filarsky and I teach painting workshops in our studio and venues around the country for art groups. Several times a week you can find me teaching painting at both the main and satellite campuses of Vance Granville Community College. We travel and participate in shows across the US. When not out on the road, we’re at our rural NC mini farm along with 2 alpacas, chickens and family dogs.
Stephen Filarsky
Steve is a Fine Art Artist working in Oils and Watercolor as well as in the Applied Arts of Gold, Silver and Copperleaf, Gilding, Hand Lettering and Sign Graphics. He can be found painting landscapes outside, (known as "plein air"), in our studio working on a portrait, at an artisan shop or boatyard putting goldleaf lettering on the transom of a yacht or striping and lettering on antique or modern fire apparatus.
After years hand lettering signs and vehicles, the computer cut vinyl era led Steve back to painting. Encouragement from Theresa had him creating watercolor portraits of people, animals and homes. Later a love of working outdoors, a hold over from all those days painting signs outside, led to painting landscapes in oils. One of the areas that has held his interest has been the traditional horse show venues with their combination of rural landscape, traditional architecture and its people and horses. He has a loyal following in the world of horse shows!
The past decade has seen a resurgence in the appreciation of hand painted and gold leaf signs and lettering. Many new artisan businesses such as bakeries, coffee shops and boutiques have been drawn to the timeless beauty of their designs on glass that only gold or copper leaf can convey! He has been happy to be able to provide the skill and knowledge learned over the years to create the work.