Spirit Art
As a native of the Pacific Northwest his childhood memories are of many happy hours exploring the great out doors where he learned to appreciate the beauty of nature and all that she brings to us. Oregon, Alaska, and Washington are all home to him as he continues to explore them. For him, every hike in the mountains, walk on a gravel bar, or trek in the desert is still a magic time that opens the possibilities for finding a new rock, a shed antler, or a uniquely patterned piece of wood. He is an eclectic soul, fascinated by the unlimited diversity found in the colors, patterns, shapes and structures of differing natural materials.
Steve’s art is all about discovering, and then using his hands and his tools to share the spirit he fee in ways that make it possible for others to appreciate it too.
“Finding and sculpting gifts from nature is one of my greatest joys. To me it is bringing out the essence. I enjoy blending the allure of raw materials with my own inner experience. My hope is to share this joy as I create. Human form, goddess, and spirit animal - each piece tells its own story. As I sculpt, the spirit emerges. When I begin a new piece I know it will take shape and form as I work with it, often changing several times during the process of carving or sketching. I believe this is part of why I still, after over 30 years, truly love my work: each finished piece is new, exciting, and often un-expected.” Steve
He has been inspired by ancient Celtic, Eskimo, Northwest Coast Native, New Zealand Maori, Mayan and Egyptian arts. He is also influenced by the flowing grace of Art Nouveau and of course by other contemporary artists, some of whom he knows as friends. Though he never copies any specific style or piece of art, I strive to create images that convey a similar aesthetic of form, line and balance. His spirit art is timeless, personal, and not bounded by any one culture.
Steve’s deep love of the ancient fossil walrus and wooly mammoth ivories still being found in the permafrost of the far north enticed him to Alaska in the early 80's. He sought to know more about this material and about the cultures that have carved it for millennia.
After having a wonderful little Gallery in Skagway for 12 years they closed the doors October of 2012. They are still creating the full body of work as always, his work will still be available in several Galleries in Alaska and Oregon, as well as in Arizona at the Tucson gem shows.
