Stefan Horik was born in Quebec City in 1965. Until the age of 7, he travelled extensively with his parents, who had rather nomadic tendencies, until the whole family moved to an old farm in Charlevoix. He spent a happy childhood in a place where artisanal agriculture was still flourishing. What could be better for someone who loves nature and the outdoors?
After arriving in Charlevoix, his father began painting full-time. Stefan was introduced to painting and travel at an early age. However, he chose music first as a form of artistic expression. He even studied at the Quebec Conservatory of Music for two years before realizing that the sacred fire was not there. It was then that he decided to do a bachelor's degree in computer science at the University of Sherbrooke. It seems that there are opportunities in this area... It was at this time that he began drawing more seriously.
Stefan graduated in 1989 and, instead of going to work in a large urban centre like most of his classmates, he moved back to Baie-Saint-Paul, where he founded his own computer company and began painting in his spare time. Painting became a real passion for him and, in 1996, he exhibited for the first time at the Baie-Saint-Paul Art Centre as part of the Panorama event. The sale of his paintings that summer encouraged him to continue and his passion for painting only increased.
In 2001, he sold his Compter business to devote himself full time to creating. He then had his first solo exhibition, which was a great success. At first, painting figurative scenes mainly inspired by Charlevoix was natural for him because he admired these landscapes all his life. In addition, he had his father as a "mentor" for many years. However, over time, Stefan wanted to explore other avenues and began to paint only with a spatula and in a very spontaneous way, paintings of more contemporary design. Stefan says it's not a 180-degree turn, but rather a natural evolution towards a more personal style.
Today, Stefan Horik is an established Canadian artist. He is part of several prestigious collections and galleries in Canada and the United States, including Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Baie-St-Paul and Ashville North Carolina.