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

Steve, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Hi, thanks for having me!

I’ve been a professional artist for about forty years now. I’ve made it happen with a combination of perseverance, a talent that is recognized by some, and some luck. I don’t think there’s a way to speed up that process. Recognition takes time, and the journey can be fraught with lots of rejection, and that is normal. I learned long ago to not focus on the wrong things. Being an artist is about freedom. The things that bring you down take that freedom away. One thing I often tell young artists is to not focus on the wrong things, do your work, and you’ll be fine. Of course one must pay bills, etc., and for some years in my younger days I was an expert bicycle mechanic in a shop here in Austin, Texas. And riding all the time I was very healthy, too! But, eventually, I could devote that time and energy to my art. And here we are.

Steve, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Houston, in the 60s and 70s. I quickly learned that sports weren’t for me, and one day we got Encyclopedia Brittanica in the mail. The first book was “A”. In it, Art History. I was transfixed. I started drawing birds in our neighborhood trees, and other subjects. I was nine. I’ve been observing my surroundings ever since.

Arriving in Austin in the mid-80s was daunting, but I had a couple of friends already here by then. They helped me integrate into the scene.

Over this time my work has evolved into a conveyance of a type of flowing peace and quiet in the form of large oil paintings and drawings. I think much of my work adds a sense of quiet and expansive perception both in the space and within the viewer.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience, flexibility, and an open mind are important qualities in any creative-based business pursuit. Hiccups occur.

I don’t have any disastrous experiences so far (haha!), but, for me, there are often little inconsistencies like miscommunication, schedule changes or mixups, being told to expect something or someone to be available when it or they aren’t, and etc. It is important to not be flustered by things out of your control. Again, don’t focus on the wrong things. You will be fine. You can solve problems. We are Artists, after all!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I don’t believe that society is responsible for supporting artists. I believe it is the artist’s responsibility to enlighten society with ideas, beauty, and reflection of everyone’s common humanity. Within which is a rolling weather system of hope, happiness, pain, chaos, arguments, love, and all the variables possible therein because of the visceral experience we share at all times.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @stevebernalartist
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/stevebernal
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/@TheSteveBernal

Image Credits
Steve Bernal/Lisa Murdock