Rising Stars: Meet Steve Salasek of North West Phoenix area

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

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Hello, my name is Steve Salasek (sounds like Vlasic, pronounced like Jurassic); I’m a Glendale-based artist who loves to dabble with pen, ink, marker, and (recently) digital mediums. My wife and I have been married for 18 years, and we have 3 amazing kids who make us immensely proud. I have been scribbling and sketching weird characters and creatures since I was about 5 years old. I have yet to receive instruction or formal training from an art school, but I always pulled inspiration from my surroundings and drew the unique creations that floated around in my head. The Ninja Turtles, Godzilla, tattoo art, 80’s skate art, metal and punk music, movies (Alien, The Thing, Predator, Jaws, Star Wars), comic books (X-Men, Spawn, Batman), skulls (nature’s art), Nature/ the Sonoran desert (especially the strange stuff), Medieval weapons/armor, mythology (Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian, Celtic, Viking), and the wild west are some of the things that build my inspiration. The art, creatures, and epic awesomeness I would pull from these references were never well-received or supported by my family. My art style was too much to handle and a complete 180 from the rigid, straight-laced system I grew up with. Proud to say that I am a true black sheep, the odd one out, and that will not change. After years and years of drawing and creating, I started to believe that my art was wasting time, it wouldn’t go anywhere, and all the other bs that I was allowed in. The lack of support from my surroundings started crushing any confidence in my art and myself. Growing up, I had goals of one day having a career that involved using my creative talents. Comic book artists, movie SFX, tattoo artists, and skate clothing artists/designers are just a few. At about the age of 15, I started losing interest in the dreams and goals I had for myself as an artist and went about my life on a path that, unfortunately, did not include art.

As a kid, I loved tattoos both as art and expression. At 18, I received my first tattoo and had that creative fire stoked once more! I wanted to find a way to tattoo professionally. I remember friends in the neighborhood had family members with tattoos. Back then, you didn’t come across tattoos nearly as much. It was still connected to taboos or societal classes associated with negativity. For me, getting a tattoo symbolized breaking free from the fear of being me that had been etched internally. I eventually allowed this dream to fade as the years went on. My lack of confidence in myself and my artwork convinced me to continue my career without art again. In my mind, I saw it as unattainable; I know now that any goal is absolutely within reach; it’s about moving forward, owning choices, learning, growing, adapting, and having fun. As I mentioned earlier, I’m proud to be a black sheep and still love tattoos.

At 26, I was excited and blessed to start my firefighting career in June of ’06 as a recruit firefighter. At that time, my wife and I were married a little over a year, and our firstborn was 6 months old. It was a whirlwind at times, and I would never change a thing; it was helping me build a lot of character. It would’ve been wise for me to start sketching again as a healthy outlet to relieve the typical stresses in life, especially those experienced by first responders.

I have been a firefighter for 17 years and have become stronger in many ways from my experiences with this crazy profession. I also know that these experiences have negative, life-long effects. I’ve had plenty of positive ones through this time, but those are the ones that don’t require help from professionals. Creative outlets and other therapies help channel that energy and emotion. About 5 years ago, I picked up my pens and started drawing again. I began to recognize that I was consumed by depression, anxiety, fear, and many other negative mindsets. Drawing helps ease my mind while I find that flow state. I’m forever grateful to have found that spark again! Immediately I realized how much drawing is my unique therapy. I feel like my subconscious, that passenger within, was screaming at me. It was trying to tell me for years how necessary art and creativity are for me mentally, and that manifests physically. I wasn’t listening for years, and I’m thankful I finally chose to. It’s a blessing to be given a second chance at things. Over the last few years, it’s been a beautiful combination of honest, internal evaluation, loving support and patience from my family, various therapies, talking with professionals, and making the decision to heal mentally has built and continues to build the confidence to display my art and let people love it or hate it. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from criticism (good or bad).

Earlier, I had mentioned a passenger trying to get my attention. This passenger is my subconscious guiding me, helping me navigate back to focus, and get back on the path. PassengerX would be an excellent way to describe internal guidance with no name and endless potential. It resides in all of us; it’s that drive and determination to follow our true journey in this life and excel at it. PassengerX represents my art and brand. I want it to grow and inspire others, especially those who struggle. My artwork has skulls, snakes, and depictions of monsters/ demons that typically are not associated with mental wellness or happiness. Still, it’s that outlet for chronic exposure to negative energy. My years of looking inward, my amazing wife and kids, family and friends, and my career as a firefighter have helped me keep the present moment in perspective. Take every chance to find the beauty and blessings surrounding us. Even negative outcomes can lead to positive change. Time is limited, and life can change in an instant. Time seems to speed up the older I get, and I know that time is undefeated. The best time to pursue anything is in the present moment. With my focus on the present and the potential of the future, my artwork needs to be seen by those that need to see it. The way to do that is to put it out there for everyone to see. Not just those who love it but especially those who might hate it. I want that criticism! It creates new ideas, and it’s a chance to learn. Just 3 years ago, I never imagined showing my artwork to a handful of people, let alone a room entire world. I started at local art shows and found it a great way to network, meet new artists, and display and sell my passion. PassengerX has a website with stickers, prints, some shirts, and other schwag for sale, and it can also be found on Instagram! I’ll be adding other social media pages soon. Ultimately, I want my crazy creations to bring rays of dark sunshine and skeleton unicorns to the masses! PassengerX is in the beginning stages, and its potential is limitless.

I’m looking forward to where it’s headed, all while staying focused on the present. I have another few years as a firefighter, and I’m working towards eventually learning how to tattoo. One day I’d love to be giving and receiving therapy through the art and experience of tattooing. They’ve been a necessary part of my life, and one day, I would love to positively impact others with this art form. I look forward to crossing paths with a mentor looking to teach because I’m ready and hungry to learn.

Let’s dig deeper into the story – has it been an easy path, and if not, what challenges have you overcome?
No one has a smooth road or any part of life. There’s always going to be obstacles along the way. Most of them can go any direction around them, but there are others that the only option is through. Some obstacles have been my struggles with mental health, confidence in myself and my art, and fear of what others thought or perceived it to be. Once I accepted what I needed to change, I decided to go directly through each. Because of this, I notice a significant change within me, which also extends outward. All are life-long challenges that require practice and patience. I can always use more of both.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I usually work with pen, ink, and marker. Recently I’ve been using digital as a medium. I like the forgiveness of digital, but I prefer the feel of pen and paper. I recently started showing and selling my artwork online and at local art shows. As an artist, I’m proud of the style of my art that has developed over time and continues to develop. It’s always been on the opposite side of the average and stands out. It’s unique and one of a kind, with the right mix of demonic beasts, smiling dark rainbows, and a warrior spirit. I’m not known for anything in particular. If I am, I want to be a driven person.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I can’t think of any specific moments or memories, but anything that got me outside in nature and always drawing. Now that I have kids of my own, I’m blessed to be able to help build their favorite memories.

Contact Info:

• Website: thatpassengerx.com
• Instagram: @passengerx_art
• Facebook: PassengerX

Image Credits
Gracie Sue Photography