Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve McElroy
Hi Steve , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have had a very unusual journey in the arts, and I love it as much today as I did when I started later in life at 37 years old. I decided to start doing something I enjoyed, and now I know it’s true that to do what you love ultimately brings success. It hasn’t been easy, but as adults we have the power to train our minds to enjoy the process as much as the destination. So that’s what I did. It was a choice, and within months people could feel my passion for it and starting collecting. That was many paintings and drawings ago, each focusing on quality, and a positive message, never any two alike. I’m still doing it today 29 years later! Sometimes I felt discouraged, but then I somehow knew that I could always paint myself out of it! What a gift it’s been to my life and psyche in an often complex world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been smooth, but it’s always been rewarding. I have had periods of slow sales in down economies, only for it to rebound many times over…better than before. I thought the pandemic would put a halt to collecting, but it ultimately became exactly the opposite over time. People were home and wanted their environment to look nice! I have found that you get out of life what you put into it…still! So I only compete with myself and strive to put forth better and better quality the older I am. I want my best work to be my next work. To focus on quality in any field is the key. People can feel whether you were inspired or not. So that is very comforting to know that you create your own luck through quality of work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always loved art, but didn’t start creating it until later in life. But I always knew I didn’t want to be known for just one thing. So if you study my work online, you will find a very wide variety of styles and subjects. That is important to me, as the ultimate compliment is for someone to be surprised to learn that each is from the same artist. All my work takes the viewer to a positive place for a moment in time. I only create positive theme works. I also knew that I wanted to be known for collectibility, quality of materials, the message, the planning, the obvious care in which it was created. So whether a drawing or a painting, I want the viewer to know it was created from a place of caring and forethought. To me that guarantees the collector will take care of it, appreciate it, love it for what it is and carry it forward in their families.
I have met so many collectors worldwide online via offering my work at www.1stDibs.com. Amazing the reach 24/7! So artists now can use such tools to get out of their careers what they put into it…to a global audience. Amazing!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I had a wonderful mentor in business early in life. It was H. Ross Perot, as wonderful a human and businessperson as there ever was! He was so clever and kind, but his great strength was instilling in those around them that they could do anything. So those around him wanted to impress him, do his kindness justice, and in the end he won from their efforts as the result. He would then marvel at and celebrate their success. It was a magic to learn from him. So I try to emulate his spirit now in those who ask for my advice. I highly recommend being open to the advice of others, and passing it along. As they say, people will only remember how you made them feel in your presence….and Ross Perot made me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to. He made me feel I could do anything, so I believed him. A true gift!
Pricing:
- Drawings $750 to $1250
- Paintings $$1750 to $7500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SteveMcElroy.com
- Instagram: @SteveMcElroyArt
- Facebook: @SteveMcElroyArt
- Twitter: SteveMcElroyArt
- Youtube: Email: McElroyFineArt@aol.com
- Yelp: Business phone: 310-658-0895
- Other: www.1stDibs.com for sales
Image Credits
Steve McElroy Fine Art available for purchase worldwide at www.SteveMcElroy.com and
www.1stDibs.com
McElroyFineArt@aol.com
