We're currently showing a selection of Berkeley artist Steven Walstead's  works on canvas. Click on the thumbnails below for a larger view...

 

When looking at Steve’s expansive oil painted landscapes, one can imagine driving up and over a ridge and then holding your breath while taking in the view on the other side.  Much of this series was inspired by Steve’s love of the outdoors and in particular, the view from 30,000 feet or when crossing over the Altamont Pass.  

“These paintings are a result of my desire to create abstract paintings using subjective images.  Or something like that…I usually just push paint around until something interesting appears.  I try to keep a feeling of spontaneity and looseness in my work, where the image is caught in a passing glimpse rather than a detailed study.”

In fact some of his landscapes may look like aerial views, landscapes pushed to the abstract. 

“My paintings never finish the way I intend them” he explains.  “Sometimes I walk away for the evening, then come back the next morning and head in a whole different direction. Or I become dissatisfied, make a bold change in the painting, and then see it completely differently.  Often I work on it, hate it, then step back from it for a while, and forget what I didn’t like about it. These often turn out to be some of my favorite paintings.

A California native, born in 1950 in the Central Valley town of Merced, Steve Walstead grew up painting and drawing and was considered the resident artist in his early school years.  Inspired by the rich cultures of California - “from Big Daddy Roth to Diebenkorn” - Steve received a B.A. in Fine Arts from Chico State in the 1970’s.  He has since worked as a picture framer, as a member of a television art department, a computer artist producing digital art and animation, and as a freelance graphic artist. He feels fortunate to be able to devote his time now to both his painting and his photography.

Amphora Winery, 4791 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg CA 95448, 707.431.7767