We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Felicetti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Steven, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I would say I first knew I wanted to be an artist when I was about 4-5 years old. My Mom, my older brother and I would attend the Westerly RI Art Festival each year. It was really just another day at the park for us. However, on this day my Brother and myself could post a few of our “drawings” on a long wooden fence with all the other artists. One day while attending the event one of my drawings blew from the fence and ended up somehow in the hands of a lady who ran a small gallery where she displayed children’s art. Somehow she managed to track us down “probably because I was the only 5 year old artist displaying his work at the festival that year. ” She asked my Mom if she could purchase my artist rendition of “Mat Dillon from the popular TV series Gunsmoke” for what I think was something like $25. That was my first indication; as much as it could have been for a 4-5 year old; art was something that I was pretty good at and people would want. I have been creating art ever since. I always felt it was somewhere in the cards for me to do something productive with my artistic talent. But sometimes, life gives us obligations that need to be met before we can fully act on our dreams.
Fast forward 39 years, I am getting myself ready to transition out of the Army and into “civilian” life. After 24 years of honorable service to my country, I was finally ready to close the chapter. I would retire at the rank of First Sergeant, I had enjoyed a successful career and had the experience and training I needed to thrive in many management or leadership type roles. My resume was complete and I was sending it to potential employers, setting up interviews and waiting for the job offers to come in.
I loved being a Soldier and even more a Leader of Soldiers for the US Army. This was my life from the time I was 20 years old. I had embraced it wholeheartedly and decided to make a career of it. Now I was at the age of 43, married for almost 24 years. Together with my wife we had raised our children to adulthood, we had lived in six different states, occupied twelve different homes, I had returned on four separate occasions from deployments overseas. We did not know anything else. So leaving the Army was a scary concept for both of us. Contemplating what I wanted to do next became a bit of a struggle for me.
There were many options available to me that I could pursue. ROTC instructor, I could seek employment with the Defense Industry like Raytheon, or Lockheed Martin, or I could seek a position as a Government Employee in a variety of different service and training type positions… just to name a few examples. All of these choices were responsible, sound decisions that would provide myself and my wife with a steady income and job security until I reached the age for my next retirement. However, none of it felt right to me, or excited me at the time. It felt to me as… If I had made the decision to exit the Army, I needed to leave and do something else. Not just enter another aspect of the Army as a civilian contractor working for the government, or a government employee.
I spoke with my Brother in Law on the phone one evening during this same time frame. I don’t remember the reason for his call, I think it may have been my wife’s birthday. Anyway, we got on the subject of my job hunt and my struggle of deciding what to do next. The simple advice he offered changed my whole course and my outlook on my retirement.
He said. “Steve, you have done a lot for everyone else in your life. You served your country for 24 years, you went to combat on multiple deployments, you helped raise two children, you always provided for your family. Why don’t you do something for yourself. Something you will enjoy. Do whatever it is YOU really want to do.”
That is when I decided I would start a new career around selling my art. I was not sure how, exactly, but I knew at that moment that was what I wanted most. They say that the path of least resistance is usually the right path to travel. This proved true in my case. Once I committed to that decision. I dove in feet first and the things that needed to happen for my plan to work fell into place.
On Jan 2015 I officially opened my business as a freelance artist/illustrator and the Sole Proprietor of SJFGraphic Arts, llc. I knew very little about the business world so I did not do everything right at first and I am still learning ten years later. You don’t discover right, without first discovering some wrongs. The important thing is that you start somewhere and you learn as you go. I am excited about the promise my new career offers. No matter which direction this journey takes me, I have enjoyed each day for the past ten years creating and selling my artwork. Every assignment comes with its own story, new people, different experiences and another opportunity for me to learn and grow.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Starting from a very early age, during the course of my entire life I have honed my craft and developed my skills. Before establishing SJF Graphic Arts I did work on a part time basis, for many years as a freelance artist in a variety of arenas. I have experimented with all kinds of different artist mediums and studied the works of many master in the trade. My most recent work is done on a computer, utilizing a professional tablet and stylus pen. All my drawings are 100% created by my hand, heart and sole. SJF Graphic Arts, llc is where I offer my services and products as a freelance artist.
Currently I sell pre-generated prints of my artwork on four separate vender platforms. All of them can be found under the SJF Graphic Arts title, to include my main business website sjfgraphicarts.com. The bulk of my earned income comes from doing custom artwork on a commission basis. I offer free cost estimates to my customers at the start of a project. I use direct, one on one communication throughout the entire project. I utilize a collaborative step by step creative process to ensure, together we will achieve the desired result. I invest the same pride, effort and energy into all my work. This has been my formula for success. Additionally, I outsource for all my printing to the same local small business printing service operating under the name Gordon’s Ink. The owner/operator, Chris, uses state of the art industrial equipment, with color stay inks made to last. I have worked with him since the start of my business, his printing services are exceptional.
Since the start of my business in 2015 I have completed over 100 separate commission projects. I accept any work, I feel I have the ability to do, and do well. Some of my past projects include portraits of people or pets for customers, illustrations for 3 separate children’s story books, multiple trademarks and marketing tools for businesses, commemorative paintings of historic battles or military units, sold as limited addition prints, custom paintings of homes or other personal locations and much much more. You can view many of the examples of my work on my website in my online gallery. Also, if you like you can follow my journey on Facebook and/or Instagram. In the not too distant future I plan to publish a graphic novel series of my own. Launch a YouTube channel sharing my art experience and create a line of collectable figurines under the SJF Graphic Arts label.
SJF Graphic Arts has a 5 star rating on Google Business and a proud history of 100% customer satisfaction. A portion of all my proceeds go to supporting our wounded and disabled vets. Since its conception SJF Graphic Arts has donated close to $10K to non-profit agencies. If you have an idea for an image that you want captured as art for a gift idea, a business, or for yourself. I am your best investment.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I have always used my art as a form of self therapy. It offers me an escape from reality, and a way to refocus my energy using creative expression. It is a big part of who I am.
Additionally, it allows me an opportunity to reach out to others in some aspect of their life. For me this can be the most rewarding and self gratifying experience of being an artist. Many times when I am asked to do a painting the content of that painting may have a deep and personal connection for the customer. Maybe it is a Portrait to console the loss of a loved one. It could be to capture a moment in time that has special meaning, It could be a special place they want to be reminded of daily in a painting.
Whatever the situation I make sure I do my best to understand, and carefully consider the content, the purpose and the emotion that will be connected to the piece I am trying to create. The appreciation from my customer and the personal knowledge that I created something that will always hold a special meaning for them, is my biggest reward.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I started my business in 2015 with a mission to help foster support for our military community. This was my way of giving back to a community of Brothers and Sisters that have given me more than I could have ever asked for. As a retired First Sergeant that served for 24 years in the USArmy soldier care is still a priority. I am 100% committed to helping our military and veteran communities. My artwork often contains content that helps bring recognition to our service members and veterans. SJF Graphic Arts supports both non-profits Tunnel to Towers and The Wounded Warrior Project with regular donations. I have always used my business as a way to help promote awareness and foster support for our military, service disabled veterans, and their families. With the help of my customer’s I will continue to build on this trend in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sjfgraphicarts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenfelicetti
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjf.graphicarts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SJFGraphicArts

  https://www.michaels.com/makerplace/storefront/sjf-graphic-arts

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