Arizona Hillside Painting

Steven was born and raised in Salina, Kansas, and currently lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He is a 1987 graduate of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, with a B.A in Art Education. He also studied painting and drawing in the graduate of Fine Arts program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1987 to 1990. He has been a professional contractor and artist since 1993, specializing in photo-realistic paintings and murals. Steven's most recent works are acrylic paintings on panel which showcase his ability to render trees and watery scenes. He translates a wondrous scene of natural beauty into a beautiful and fascinating composition. Using basic design elements and color theory, he continues to develop his skill for landscape painting. "My paintings have always been about beauty of form and light, but also about the beauty of the painted surface. I have been producing photo-realistic paintings for over thirty years, while incorporating design elements influenced by modern abstract and non-objective painting.' Influences include contemporary artists such as Eric Fischl, Sydney Goodman, and Chuck Close. Throughout my life, I have enjoyed many trips to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, mainly to revisit my greatest influence, the painting "St. John the Baptist" by the artist Caravaggio.