My name is Stephanie Chan, and I am a Philadelphia-area artist specializing in black-and-white architectural renderings and handcrafted leather goods. My creative roots trace back to Washington, DC, where I completed both high school and college, and later to New York City, where I earned my Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Art has always been an innate part of who I am, even during the many years when life pulled me away from the page. In July 2022, I returned to drawing during a season of personal transition—seeking calm, grounding, and a way to quiet an endlessly racing mind. What began as a moment of healing quickly re-ignited a long-dormant passion. My process is fully immersive; when ink meets paper, the noise of the world softens, my thoughts settle, and I’m reminded of the profound joy that comes from creating something with intention and care.

Alongside my architectural illustrations, I have expanded my craft into detailed leatherwork. Each piece, whether a wallet, journal cover, purse, or custom accessory, is constructed by hand, stitched with precision, and designed to honor both form and function. Leatherwork offers a different kind of stillness, a tactile rhythm that complements the fine-line focus of my drawings. Together, these mediums give me multiple ways to explore structure, texture, and storytelling through craftsmanship.

Outside the studio, I work as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst supporting autistic children and their families. I also carve out time for movement and community through weightlifting at Balance Chestnut Hill. And if you ever spot me out and about in Chestnut Hill with my two dogs (and occasionally my more reluctant cats), please don’t hesitate to say hello. I’m always happy to connect.

“Being an artist means forever healing your own wounds and at the same time endlessly exposing them" -Annette Messager