By Monica Morones
For the level of work artist Steve Pabst is producing it is hard to believe that he only has three art shows under his belt. From winning first place at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival for “traditional media” in Feburary of 2014, to his piece “Meow” currently chosen to be displayed at Venus Art Gallery and Studios in Palm Desert, his skill is undeniable.
Originally from Orange County, Steve’s family brought him here at a young age and now he is a long time desert survivor. Growing up his mother wanted him to play sports but he was happier drawing and coloring. That later turned into being a delinquent and experimenting with spray paint which he says he was never good at, more trouble than anything. Somehow Steve came into a decent sized cache of paint and canvas and that’s where the experimentation began. He says, “In a sense the experiment never stopped.” In 2009, Steve started tattooing professionally and one of his many profound experiences was at Anarchy Tattoo in Cathedral City where he got to learn from Robert Roberts, nicknamed “Mad Dog” who was all about technique and learning the craft of art above all. “What I was doing at the time was elementary compared to what he taught me. He is the reason I can do what I do. He was all about the way things worked, not so much the act, but the way it works and why,” Steve said.
Due to a neck injury the tattooing had to be put on hold and Steve is still currently living with the injury so he works on his art at the pace his body allows him to. I got to sit down with Steve over coffee as we people watched in Downtown Palm Springs and he answered some of my questions.
MM: What do you describe as your aesthetic?
STEVE: Essentially, it revolves around impermanence. I’m completely fascinated by the imagery of death, skulls and skeletons and such. But that fascination also comes with a deeper appreciation for the beauty of this place we inhabit, albeit shortly.
MM: Who do you idolize most in the art world? Old and new?
STEVE : Zorn, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Dali: Masters of their respective times.
Current artists I follow intensely are Casey Baugh, Henrik Udalen, Nikko Hurtado…There are many, many more, but the gentlemen I named here are at the peak of what they do, in my opinion.
MM: Do you have any schooling?
STEVE: I took a drawing class at COD for part of a semester…the professor and I butted heads on many different things so I ended up dropping the class. If I could go back I would have shut my mouth and paid attention. Some of the things I do now rely heavily on are what I was being taught in that class.
MM: What is your primary medium/ mediums?
STEVE: Oil. It’s the only paint medium I truly understand. I also work in graphite and charcoal.
MM: Describe your piece that won the 1st place ribbon at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival:
STEVE: “Desert Rose”, Oil on Arches Watercolor paper, 140lb cold press.
I love roses. So much so I grow them for my own reference. I had this one as a picture for a while and I wanted to try something new, so I set some black oil paint out and just went to work after a quick sketch. When I was finished, my wife suggested that I submit it to the Date Festival….I had no idea I would take 1st place for traditional media. I was honestly shocked. One of the ladies in the building told me that my piece was the favorite and it came down to 1 vote and it would have been best in show. I wasn’t disappointed though. It was the first time I’ve won an award for my work.
MM: What do you think about the art scene in the Coachella Valley?
STEVE: I think it’s still in its fledgling stages. There are many, many talented artists in our valley creating and living in a vast array of different mediums that, in my humble opinion, just don’t get the credit and recognition they deserve. Not just for what they do, but for the work they put in. People are starting to get it, but it’s taking time. That said, art is a business.
MM: What do you want to tell all the young artists out there starting out?”
STEVE: Work harder than you think you are. Experiment with everything you can get your hands on and don’t be afraid to fail. For every ten pieces you do, one will be as successful as you want it to be. There are a LOT of artists in this world, find your voice and take it to the top of whatever mountain you’re climbing in life and scream from the top of it.
Steve Pabst’s piece “Meow” is currently at Venus Studio and Art Supply in Palm Desert showing until the end of June along with many other talented artists. Check it out!
