SPLINTERED STUDIOS

I started Splintered Studios (splinteredstudios.com) right after finishing university. Back then, the internet was a much scarier place, a kind of Wild West of the web. Online shopping was still in its infancy, with only a few trusted names like Amazon, eBay, and Play.com. People were hesitant to buy things online, worried about scams or credit card fraud.

Despite the risks, I believed that the future was online. Setting up an online presence removed the need for a gallery or an agent, giving me full control over my career as an artist. However, I didn’t want to use my real name because I was young, just in my twenties, and I feared people would see me as “just some kid.” Instead, I created Splintered Studios, a name that felt more professional and credible.

To build trust with my audience, I started filming myself painting and sharing videos on YouTube. This turned out to be one of the smartest things I ever did. These videos helped people see that I was real, that I was genuinely creating art, and not some scammer trying to con them. Over time, these efforts gave people the confidence to buy my work online.

Fast forward to today, and the world of online shopping has completely transformed. Buying art online is now commonplace, and people are no longer wary of making purchases. At the same time, I’ve grown more successful as an artist. While people used to search for “Splintered Studios,” they now search for my name: Stephen Quick.

When it came time to update my website, I realised it was the perfect moment to embrace this change. It felt right to transition from hiding behind the name Splintered Studios and instead present myself as Stephen Quick Art. While my company, Splintered Studios, still exists, it will now be part of my broader brand as an artist.

I’m keeping the same look and feel, black and red, so the change won’t be too jarring. From now on, Splintered Studios will remain a part of my journey, but the spotlight will be on Stephen Quick Art.