About me
Artist Statement
Welcome to my world of oil paintings, where folly is celebrated, and beauty is found in the old and overlooked. My art embraces chaos and captures reality on my terms, allowing me to present what I find fascinating—even if it means being a bit selfish. Perfection isn't my goal; instead, I find perfection in moments of imperfection, adding my unique vision to each piece.
Inspired by the wisdom that nothing is truly new in art, I borrow techniques and ideas from the artist who inspire me. Ken Valastro's loose style, Jill Soukup's use of underpainting and color, and Christian Hook's creativity and artistic approach all influence my work. However, every class, artist, and person I encounter adds something valuable to my journey as a painter.
Experimentation is at the heart of my process. I constantly try new approaches, sometimes achieving great success and other times crashing and burning—but never giving up. This spirit of exploration keeps my art varied and dynamic. I never want to fall into the rut of painting the same subject in the same way. My joy lies in the creative process and the thrill of discovery. I prefer working in larger formats—after all, if you're going to make a statement, why not go big? I typically use 18 colors on my palette and paint using wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods.
Born in Nebraska and raised in Colorado, my artistic journey has been profoundly shaped by these environments. I honed my skills at the Art Institute of Seattle and the Art Institute of Colorado, with additional classes at the Art Students League of Denver.
My goal is to demonstrate my artistic worth to myself and others. I aim to approach my work with a childlike sense of wonder, enjoying the time I have and connecting with others through my creations. My ultimate aspiration is to create something I would love to immerse myself in from time to time.
Artist Biography
Steve was born in 1960 in Spalding, Nebraska. His journey into the world of art commenced right after high school when he secured his first commercial art job. Driven to refine his artistic talents, Steve applied to and was accepted by the Art Institute of Seattle. Upon earning his degree in Visual Communications, he returned to his childhood home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over the next twelve years, Steve immersed himself in various fields of Graphic Design and Print Media.
Steve's unending quest for self-improvement led him back to academia, this time at the Colorado Institute of Art. There, he earned a degree in Graphic Design, graduating at the top of his class. Following this achievement, Steve expanded his expertise to designing websites and applications. However, his true passion lay in the realm of fine art. This realization spurred Steve to study oil painting at the Art Students League of Denver. The League proved to be an ideal environment, where he rapidly absorbed techniques from both instructors and fellow students. Bolstered by constructive feedback, Steve's painting skills flourished. One of his favorite maxims is, “I always learn something about art from everyone, whether they are an artist or not.”
Today, Steve resides in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his wife, Joan. He is a proud father to two children, Breanne and Kevin, who are both forging their own paths in life but remain close to his heart.