I founded Splintered Studios shortly after finishing university. Back then, the internet was a very different place, less polished, far more chaotic, and, in many ways, a bit like the Wild West. It was uncharted territory for businesses and consumers alike. Online shopping was still new and unfamiliar for most people. The big players like Amazon, eBay, and Play.com had started to gain traction, but many people were skeptical about buying online. Concerns about credit card fraud, scams, and the lack of physical presence made the process feel risky.
Despite the hesitations surrounding e-commerce at the time, I had a strong belief that the future was online. Setting up an online presence offered me something unique: the chance to bypass traditional gatekeepers in the art world. I didn’t need to rely on galleries, which often came with high commission fees, or agents, who dictated much of the process. By going online, I could take complete control over my art, my sales, and my creative direction.
However, I faced a challenge. I was just a twenty-something artist starting out, and I worried that if I presented myself under my own name, potential buyers might not take me seriously. They might see me as “just a kid” trying to make a name for himself and assume I wasn’t professional enough. So, instead of using my name, I created Splintered Studios. The name gave me a professional edge and made it seem like a larger, more established entity rather than a one-man operation. It helped me build confidence with my audience and start carving out my space in the online art world.
One of the first hurdles I faced was convincing people to trust me and buy my work online. At the time, the idea of buying art online felt strange to most people. To address this, I came up with an idea that would prove pivotal: I started filming myself painting and sharing those videos on YouTube. It might seem like an obvious move today, but at the time, it was quite innovative. These videos allowed me to show people that I was real, that I was genuinely creating the work they saw on my website, and that I wasn’t just another scammer.
Over time, those videos became one of the most important tools in building trust. People could see my process, watch me create, and connect with me on a more personal level. It wasn’t just about selling art anymore—it was about sharing my journey as an artist. Slowly but surely, people became more comfortable buying from me. Looking back, I realise how important those early decisions were in establishing myself in the online art world.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape of online shopping has completely transformed. What was once seen as risky and unconventional is now part of everyday life. Buying art online has become the norm, and people are no longer hesitant to make purchases. At the same time, my career has evolved. While people used to discover my work by searching for “Splintered Studios,” more and more of my audience now searches for my name: Stephen Quick. My identity as an artist has grown stronger, and I’ve reached a point where my personal name carries the trust and recognition I worked so hard to build.
When I realized it was time to update my website, it felt like the perfect moment to embrace this shift. My journey with Splintered Studios has been an incredible one, but it felt right to step forward as Stephen Quick Art. This change represents a new chapter in my career, one where I no longer feel the need to hide behind a studio name. Instead, I want to present myself authentically as the artist behind the work.
That said, Splintered Studios isn’t going away. It remains a part of my brand and my history, but it now exists under the umbrella of Stephen Quick Art. I’m keeping the same aesthetic black and red because it feels true to who I am and has become a recognizable part of my identity. I want this transition to feel seamless for those who have followed my journey from the beginning.
This decision is about more than just rebranding it’s about acknowledging how far I’ve come. When I first started Splintered Studios, I was just trying to find my way in a rapidly changing world. Today, I’m proud to stand behind my own name, knowing that the trust and reputation I’ve built over the years have brought me to this point.
From now on, Splintered Studios remains an important part of my story, but the focus will be on Stephen Quick Art. It’s a celebration of growth, authenticity, and embracing the future.
