Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Kenny
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York State with three older brothers. For some reason, I turned out to be the only artist in the family. The amazing landscape and abundant wildlife of that area had a profound influence on me. When not attending the local Catholic grammar school or public high school much of my spare time was spent exploring the surrounding woods. Ironically, having been voted most artistic in my graduating class, I was not planning to pursue an arts education. However, a strange turn of events at the last minute led me to the Rhode Island School of Design where I studied illustration. My senior year was spent studying independently in Rome and it was there that I decided to become a painter. After graduation I moved to New York City but finding a gallery to represent me proved elusive. So, for the next 10 years or so I became a very successful commercial illustrator, providing a comfortable income. Eventually, I moved to Virginia and made the transition to fine art after joining a gallery in Washington, DC. From there, I never looked back and have been supporting myself through painting ever since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My career path has taken many unexpected twists and turns. There have also been a number of very lucky breaks along the way. The expression “when one door closes another opens” has been true in my case. I’ve learned to be patient and trust that opportunities will present themselves. Having said that, I’m not one to simply sit idly and wait for good fortune to come to me. I’m a firm believer in the idea of always planting seeds. By that I mean that I use down time to reach out in an attempt to make connections, hoping that one of those “seeds” will germinate later on. We often make our own luck.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When asked, I always describe my painting style as surreal. I specialize in blending the human figure with elements from nature. At first glance, I hope viewers are reminded of paintings they might see in the Renaissance or Baroque sections in a museum, particularly the Dutch and Flemish periods. Then, after further inspection, viewers realize that they are looking at a contemporary image. Without relying on traditional symbolism I’ve been able to create a fluid personal mythology that changes as I grow while allowing collectors to resonate with my work on their own terms. I’m very proud of my career’s longevity and feel incredibly fortunate to have such a devoted collector base.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Every painting I make is a major risk! The likelihood that a painting will sell is never, ever guaranteed. I still own many paintings that I was sure would find buyers but didn’t. On the other hand, many paintings that I didn’t feel good about have found buyers immediately after finishing them. I can never predict the outcome. Regardless, I have to invest myself fully in everything I do. I have to put all of myself into everything I create and not cut corners or take shortcuts. Taking risks is an act of faith; faith in yourself and your abilities. Risk either leads to success or failure and ultimately provides an invaluable learning experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stevenkenny.com
- Instagram: @stevenkennyart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.kenny.studio/
