Stephanie Swift was born on a cold winter’s morning in 1987. Forged in the heart of the snow belt of Upstate New York - Syracuse and growing up in nearby Oswego. She grew up strange and she grew up fast with a fascination and wonder of the Universe. Since she began coloring at a young age, her parents knew something was different. What used to be a simple character on a page, now had a sun, a tree, some flowers, and grass. As Steph grew a little older, so did her influences. Inspired by the cartoons of decades passed, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and the illustrations in her favorite book (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”) Steph’s attraction to the arts continued to progress through high school. During that time she learned her foundations of graphic design and an even deeper appreciation for the fine arts. Always having an eye for the darker side of things and finding beauty within them, Steph imagined surrealistic worlds of form and color. Influences began shifting to the likes of film director Stanley Kubrick, the lowbrow stylings of RK Sloane & R. Crumb, the playfully dynamic sculptures of Dale Chihuly, the legendary comic artist Alex Ross, and various fine artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Yves Tanguy, Roy Lichtenstein, Albrecht Durer, and Chuck Close.

Through her Senior year at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida Steph began a tattooing apprenticeship and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Illustration. After which, she spent the next 6 years in the tattoo industry. Eventually, she knew getting back to the painting and sculpting she loved long ago was truly where she belonged. After getting married and spending some time as a professional floral designer, Steph went head long into Restless Originals as a full-time artist. Never being the type to follow the beat of another’s drum, she knew that starting her own company was the best way to find fulfillment and enjoy all the aspects about tattooing she really loved - The collaborative process of creativity, making connections with new people through art, and bringing new life to the world with her hands.

Steph has built Restless Originals on the foundation of love for great challenges and a fire for creating. Her motto of “Stay Restless. Stay Original.” is one that encompasses her desire to be constantly learning, adapting, and seeking out these challenges to create original art for people to enjoy.

In her personal work, Steph sticks closely to her influences as a child: Surrealism, nature, dark art, and maximalism. Steph has most recently moved from Sarasota, Florida to Morristown, Tennessee. She received a Best in Show commendation in the Morristown Art Association’s Juried Exhibition for her piece “Floridian Vanitas”. In the past she has been commissioned to produce work for the Southeastern Guide Dogs and Lucas Lagoons, as well as numerous residents and businesses around the world. Her work has been featured in SRQ Magazine, Southeastern Guide Dogs’ “Beyond the Dark: A Multi-sensory Experience”, and in several group exhibitions.