About the Artist

After graduating from the University of California in 1973 with a degree in English literature, Steve went to work on a newspaper, fully intending to make writing his career; instead, he got hooked on photography. He was influenced early-on by California’s pioneering “straight” black-and-white photographers, but for many years, he has also been influenced by painters, particularly Japanese artists of the 1800s and 1900s.  

Steve earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Art from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He has enjoyed a varied career as a photojournalist, public relations photographer, freelance architectural photographer and campus photographer at the University of California, Riverside, and Riverside City College. In addition, he has taught photography since 2004.

Steve’s work has been shown at galleries in Riverside and Redlands, California, and at numerous local art shows. While still accepting freelance work from time to time, he is dedicating more time to his own artmaking journey.

What I Believe: One Artist's Creed

I trust and believe deeply in the value of art. I’ve often said that art is my religion. Here’s why. I believe that the Muse, the source of all artistic inspiration, is a messenger of the Divine Spirit, whatever we conceive that to be. So, when creating or even contemplating a work of art, we can connect to the Divine.  An artist’s great gift is to be able to make the connection, generate something truly meaningful, and then share the gift with others.  

In the words of Robert Henri, in his book “The Art Spirit”: “There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom. If one could but recall his vision by some sort of sign. It was in this hope that the arts were invented.”