Art & Life with Steve Stauffer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Stauffer.

Steve, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My love for painting En Plein Air took me out of the studio and into the surroundings we enjoy in our beautiful country. Painting the Alpine splendor of our mountains and streams, or the unique beauty of the Red Rock of Zion, I am always moved each time I’m allowed to venture into its wonder and magical vista’s and capture these images. I have studied with Jeff Hein, Rob Adamson, and Bryce Billings. Their unique take on drafting, drawing and Plein Air landscapes, has taken me and my work to new levels afield.

Drawing from life whether it’s the figure or landscape, as artists we will never stop learning. Jeff, Rob and Bryce are masters at their crafts and I am so incredibly blessed to have been associated with them and allowed to be a part of each of their lives.

I am currently a member of Plein Air Painters of Utah, Oil Painter of America, American Impressionist Society and Midway Art Association. This allows me to paint with people with the same amount of passion and love of this beautiful country we live in. We are out in a different location each month, so I will look forward to seeing you along the trail, and would hope you will stop and say Howdy!

Thank you, It’s going to be a great ride.

The paths I have walked!

My lifetime memories seem to be in segments and specific blocks of time.

Part one would be my earliest memories of childhood on the farm and early school years in Murray, Utah. Those experiences were all part of my first exposure to life. Then, I was an “Army Brat,” and teenager, in Europe during the 1960s. That was certainly an education in itself.

Next came college, falling in love, getting married and the U.S. Army. That would be classified as part two.

Part three was a time of family and building a career, both of which I am so very proud of. From a tire technician in 1975 to the CEO of my own business in 1998, I feel I have experienced it all.

In all of these segments, I have driven myself to the outer most reaches of my abilities. I have been successful in many different areas.

Part four now finds me leaving a career of 35 years with all the enthusiasm of that young soldier of fortune in the 1970s, but the difference is that I am armed with the knowledge and past experience of those 35 years.

Until recently, I hadn’t had any formal art training. Art has always been a passion of mine from a very early age. In Kindergarten, Mrs. Shipler, my teacher, sent a drawing of a rooster I had done in class to a Utah based magazine called “The Children’s Friend.” It was previewed on the back cover of the magazine. In that moment of recognition, I felt that art would always be something I would enjoy and share with others.

For a period of 10 years, all of my paintings had been sold or auctioned to raise funds for children with rare and life-threatening diseases through a wonderful organization called Angel’s Hands Foundation. I will continue my work with Angel’s Hands Foundation; however, not all of my work goes to the foundation as I have become a fulltime artist. Angel’s Hands Foundation is now and will always be near and dear to my heart. I am currently on the Board of Directors and serve in many different capacities.

I have studied with Jeffery Hein at The Hein Academy of Art in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is here where I discovered that a passion for your work is not only in the end result, but rather each stroke of a brush, charcoal or graphite line is done with perfection and reason. Jeff’s talented work, and being able to observe him in the studio, has not only inspired me as an artist but as a person as well.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Imagine the most spectacular sunrise you have ever witnessed. Or, the softest light that kisses the tops of the trees as a new day begins. Remember how overwhelmed you felt and that feeling of ah as it overtakes you and leaves you speechless.

That is the feeling I receive when I immerse myself into a landscape. Always attempting to find that special something or place that I might be allowed to capture on canvas and share with others.

I can never consider this work complete, as the love and passion I have to paint this magnificent world we live in excites me each and every day. To be allowed to find that small incredible something that makes me sit back and say, “There can’t be a better way to celebrate our Creators Vision.” This is what drives me and blesses my life each day!

Painting “En Plein Air” throughout the USA has allowed my work to be seen in many individual shows as well as national and local invitational events around the country.

While my love is painting from life, en plein air, these wonderful paintings allow me to bring them back into the studio and create a larger version of these amazing experiences. Always driving myself in an attempt to constantly improve my skills and work.

Attending Plein Air events Nationally as well as locally, my work has received Artist Choice, People’s Choice, several 1st Place Awards, Purchase Awards, and other accolades and honorable mentions.

I am a member of Oil Painters of American, American Impressionist Society, Plein Air Painters of Utah and Midway Art Association.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
You only have one opportunity to make a 1st impression. Make sure your work is ready to be seen and can compete and support the direction you are attempting to travel.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am currently being represented by the following Galleries:

The Mission Gallery
St. George, Utah

The Relic Gallery
Holladay, Utah

The Artisan Gallery
Cedar City, Utah

The Local Galleria
Driggs, Idaho

Contact Info:

• Address: Steve Stauffer
  7978 south Farm Gate Drive
  Midvale, Utah 84047
• Website: www.stevestauffer.com
• Phone: 8013303799
• Email: stevestauffer@outlook.com
• Instagram: Staufferstephen
• Facebook: Stephen Stauffer

Image Credit:
Steve Stauffer

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