We were lucky to catch up with Steve Mcelroy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Steve , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I have been fortunate to have always had an open mind, so companies and collectors like that flexibility. No one wants to work with a temperamental person, so I have always believed that a team is better, two is better than one, and it doesn’t matter how you get there…just that you DO get there. So my favorite project was for the common hallway leading to the JP Morgan Chase corporate boardroom. It was a cooperative project, as they wanted all who entered to feel inspired through symbolism and beauty. So we chose a row of 8 different large butterflies in a long row to remind that each day we get the chance to begin again, start fresh, create a new life! From the success of that I was honored to be chosen for the current FedEx Office commercials…again to show that life can become what you choose to make of it. And isn’t that such an uplifting relief to know tomorrow is a new chance ….everyday?! We really do still get out of life what we decide to put into it. Art has given me such joy and opportunity in that regard. Thrilling!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was in business early on, but always had an interest in viewing art….but never any experience at creating it. So at 37 I decided I’d just start. Early on was just for fun, but then others could feel my love for it, so I was off and running with sales here and there. I knew it was such a cool permanent medium to express myself, put forth positive messages to others for a permanent moment in time. So it’s never become in any way monotonous or boring after all these years. Each year became more exciting and productive than the previous….and it’s so cool now to me that I ended up exactly as I hoped…one baby step at a time. That was thousands of paintings and drawings ago, each unique, and yet it’s still a fun roller coaster ride to me as to how each painting or drawing will turn out now. Companies and collectors took note over time, so I suppose my specialty now has become putting forth a visual that will celebrate a brand and cause positive results for them. I take it very seriously so that they get far more than they paid from me. I think that’s important! I also get excited inspiring a collector to work with me for a collaborative thrill ride with art in their living room. too. I want them to walk in and think “ahh, this is exactly what I hoped to see and feel” every single time they walk by it. In that regard, I’ve learned to enjoy one project at a time, give it my all, and enjoy the process as much as the destination. I highly recommend it! This mentality has brought me projects with FedEx, Chase, the TV show Mad About You, Absolut Vodka, Madonna, Mercedes, the interior designer Jan Showers, Mattel for Barbie, the luxury site 1stDibs.com, and galleries far and wide! So I would recommend competing only with oneself, do what you love and give it your all! As they say, people will only remember how you made them feel in your presence, so give them the best version of yourself and it works!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The people I’ve worked with have virtually always been kind, but there is a misconception by some potential art collectors that makes them fearful to reach out, ask questions, begin a commission. But they shouldn’t be apprehensive at all. What people should remember is virtually every artist is probably more motivated by the fun and inspiration of the process of creating than the money. So people should know artists don’t mind what the collector might think are dumb questions…because they’re not! So reach out! The artist will be as thrilled to hear from you to create your ideas as much as you are to receive it completed!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My favorite aspect of being an artist is the process. It’s a joyful escape into an imaginary world of my own daily creation. Amazing! But I also love the permanence of art. I get to create things that time travel and exist forever. Wild. And with my name and message within it. How cool is that?! The art always moves forward to entertain, bring joy, bring beauty and bring inspiration to the viewer forever. Absolutely inspirational to an artist. It’s what drives them to take it so seriously everyday. It’s a lovely responsibility to deliver to people a visual positive escape for that moment in time as they view it. I highly recommend it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SteveMcElroy.com
• Instagram: @SteveMcElroyArt
• Facebook: @SteveMcElroyArt
• Twitter: @SteveMcElroyArt
• Youtube: Steve McElroy FedEx commercials
• Yelp: 310-658-0895
• Other: www.1stDibs.com

  As Steve McElroy Fine Art

  www.JanShowers.com

Image Credits

Steve McElroy art