HBorn in Southern California where according to Steven; surfing, the Cold War, mid-century conservatism and human mortality have deeply influenced his sense of artistic purpose. He has worked mainly with watercolor and acrylics but has also delved into sculpture, furniture design, street art and computer-generated graphics and considers himself a multimedia artist. He refers to is style as “Surrealist, absurdist, imaginary, apocalyptic Hawaiiana.”  

“I like art that speaks to the viewer on multiple levels. Ideally it uses its attractiveness to draw you into a consideration.” 

In California his early works were abstract watercolor landscapes. He spent a summer in Greece painting wall murals in restaurants and night clubs and after relocating to Sweden he further explored his approach to landscape abstraction, which can be seen in his Kua Bay series. In Sweden Steven exhibited collections of paintings, whimsical, hand painted ties and children’s furniture design. Earning a Master’s Degree in the History of Religion added a new layer of ideas and meaning to his work which he developed in an interplay with his students while teaching art there in Sweden for 15 years. 

Now Steven lives and works on the Big Island. His experience in 2018 of Hawaii’s false incoming ballistic missile warning inspired the creation of his “Kona Atomic” series.  

“I enjoy exploring familiar themes and cultural references from a slightly altered perspective and set in Hawai’i. I think that art is communication and the best art is that which has the ability to elicit a response in the widest group of viewers. My work is intended to first create a “doubletake” reaction followed by a sense of release or happiness. I strive for beautiful, practical, shamanic and apocalyptic works of art. (Continued)

For this year’s Studio Tour I will be unveiling an installation that deals with gender role mythology both internal and external, featuring a new incarnation of “Our Lady of the Dashboard”. 
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