I have developed a compelling urge to capture the attention of everyone viewing my paintings. The world around us offers an absolutely incredible amount of visual information that we simply allow ourselves to tune out in the overload. My goal with each painting is to capture that moment and cause the viewer to pause and take in the world of details and colors that are there but seldom noticed. Each painting I create becomes an entire landscape made up of seemingly plain, everyday moments.
In order to accurately translate that visual information, I have chosen the vibrancy and permanence of Createx Wicked colors which is a multi surface airbrush paint for my work. The primary tools used to apply this paint are watercolor and air brushes. I have found no other combination of tools that can produce the range of effects that these tools can. The ability to create everything from seamless washes to razor sharp details allows me to push the realism in all of my work.
My goal in working on a miniature scale is to create a painting that defies its very size. The piece needs to stand up to high magnification so the viewer only comprehends the scale after the impact of the actual painting has occurred. This small scale creates an intimacy between the viewer and my work and I feel very fortunate that both my ability and choice of medium have allowed me to translate my visions.
Published
Artist Feature - Rod and Kulture Illustrated Fall 2016
Interview: "Airbrush Action Magazine" November/December 2013, May/June 2011, April 2002
"How to Article" Airbrush Step by Step Magazine February 2012
“How to Article” Airbrush Technique Magazine August 2011
“How to Airbrush Pinups” Wolfgang Publications Contributing Author 2009
“How Airbrushes Work” Author, Wolfgang Publications 2008
“Airbrush 101” Contributing Author, Wolfgang Publications 2007
AB Mag Contributing writer
Interview: "On Exhibit: The Artwork of Steven Leahy", "Naval Aviation News," December 2002
Interview: "Airbrush Action Magazine" April 2002
Interview and "Airbrush Art and Action International Magazine" April 2001
Selected Awards and Honors
-Butler Institute of American Art - 2023
Honorable Mention - 87th Annual Midyear Exhibition
-South Shore Arts Festival – 2018 – Cohasset, MA
Grand Prize – Members Show
Honorable Mention – National Juried Show
-South Shore Art festival - 2017 - Cohasset, MA
-'Blue' Show - Cambridge Art Association, 2015 - Cambridge, MA
-28th Northern National Annual Competition, 2015 - Rhinelander, WI
Patron’s Award
-'Red' Show - Cambridge Art Association, 2012 - Cambridge, MA
-'Small Efforts' - Solo Show, SAART Gallery, 2011 - Stoughton, MA
-Artist Magazine Award - National Association of Acrylic Painters Seventh Annual Exhibit - Del Ray Beach, FL
-Aviation Publishers Award for Artistic Excellence - American Association of
Aviation Artists - Wichita, Kansas
-Par Excellence - Experimental Aircraft Association Sport Aviation Art Competition
-33rd Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibit – New York, New York
Affiliations
Associated Artist of Pittsburgh - Artist member
South Shore Art Center – Gallery Artist
Cambridge Art Association
National Association of Acrylic Painters - Signature Artist
American Association of Aviation Artists - Artist Member
Stoughton Art Association – Past President
Canton Art Association
Education
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, Massachusetts - 1991 - Bachelor of Fine Art