A couple weeks back I had the privilege to see 311 and Sublime with Rome in concert at the LC in Columbus. I don’t have to tell you that it was a great show, and a good night to boot. “Beautiful Disaster” has always been one of my favorite songs, so I decided to pay it homage with a piece inspired by the song and my feelings while listening to it.

So here it is, “Beatuful Disaster”:

I have a signed painting from this Featured Artist, it is actually still unframed and it is sort of propped on top of some speakers on my entertainment center… What I mean is it is well displayed for all too see. Steve and I grew up together through our teen years, I have countless memories of us and all our other friends creating extraordinary moments in time, times to be remembered and that are. Much like Steve may tell you, I developed my artistic skills in high school, being constantly pushed and motivated in one of many art classes Mr. Shohada taught that I was in. Enough about me, I asked Steve to answer some questions for me about his painting starting with a brief background of himself, enjoy!

Give me a brief background on yourself:

I was born in Youngstown, Ohio and enjoyed the first 17 years of my life there. Summer before my senior year I moved to LA and finished up at Reseda High. This is ultimately when my life shifted gears. Music and Art seemed to flow quite naturally after taking a tour of the country and I feel blessed to have had these experiences… as, experience is the true artist in my life and its how I discovered what aspiration meant to me. In my short 25 years here on earth my life has been an abundance of adventure, peppered with sadness, but ultimately filled with memories I wouldn’t trade.

When did you notice yourself becoming artistic?

Well, I guess I was born with it… I’ve always liked to draw. I think High school really defined me as an artist only because everyone else thought I was haha. I did have a sketch book with me most of the time though so there was probable cause for the title.

When and Why did you take up painting?

Painting came when I moved to California. It was the era of changes in myself so I decided to put down pencils and pick up paint brushes.

Where or who do you draw your inspiration from?

I have something inside of me that likes to paint. Sometimes I don’t even feel like I’m in control of what I’m painting. Other times it feels like its trying to teach me, like it stands and watches over my shoulder. There’s a long story as to how I acquired it. But it seems to help channel places I’ve seen in dreams or maybe in other lives I don’t know where I find some of the landscapes that come out… but I rarely paint a picture of a picture I found on the web or somewhere.

Do you think your Art carries a message, or messages?

Absolutely, “perfection is subjective to an individual’s perspective.” – me
I believe everyone sees slightly different, so an image of something like, a blue wild flower in a field, sends a message, though one might take it as serenity and one with nature, while another sees loneliness or lost soul in a big world… either way it sent a message.

Who is your favorite painter (or artist), if you have one?

I really don’t have one in particular as a favorite. I will say that I’m not a fan of Picasso.
I really enjoy Alex Grey, Salvador Dali, and Thomas Kinkade as far as famous artists.
Bradford Rigby, Mike Lohr, Jules Muck, these are friends and talented artists that aren’t famous YET…

What mediums do you use in your Art?

Oils are pretty much all I use anymore. Though I dabble with spray paint and pencil/charcoal stuff as well.

How long does it take you to complete a work of art?

That has many variables to factor in, in order to give it a time measurement. For example, canvas size the bigger the longer… is it a commissioned piece (meaning does it have to be something specific that someone requested) or is it a personal doesn’t matter what comes out piece? (my favorite) So it all depends on the piece at hand really. For me, I enjoy spending more time on big canvases.

Do you ever have a problem knowing when a painting is finished?

Yeah I think that happens to most artists… My imagination can really run sometimes so it just wants to add so much more detail to its world for everyone else to really experience what kind of place it is.

Steve of course refused to comment on the pictures of him and actress Carr– just kidding! Seriously, I thank my good friend Steve for answering these questions, and sharing his Art with us.

Please be sure to go visit Steve Avila’s own website which features a portfolio of his art work and painting. You can contact Steve through his site for inquires into purchasing a piece from him. And remember to keep your eyes on TripleOneSix for more future Featured Interviews and Articles like this one!