"Let me introduce myself....."
Hello there, my names Steve and I've built this site to basically show off some of my artwork. I've always been interested in creating stuff and find its a great way to switch off. Its great to just get totally immersed in the creative process.
My work suits many environments, from pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to large public spaces like hospitals or shopping centres. Imagine a whole shoal of the giant goldfish on a mobile in a library for instance. Or how about a unique mosaic sculpture in the company reception area. Equally, for the home, in the garden, the conservatory, maybe a beautiful mosaic fish in the bathroom? If you see anything on the site which you're particularly interested in do get in touch. Or alternatively if you have an idea for a piece you'd like to commission, again please get in touch.
'My Life Story so far.....'
Leaving school at 16 and after a brief flirtation with Sixth Form College
doing A levels I decided to leave formal education and enrol in the School of
Life. My first job was as an office junior in an Estate Agents, this lasted as I
remember a month! After some temp work, I found myself in the role of Accounts
Assistant in a small manufacturing firm. This lasted a year, twelve of the
longest most boring months of my life. Factory worker, painter and decorator,
Shelf stacker, office cleaner, market trader, a lifeguard in Israel! Four years
had passed.
After a year travelling in Egypt and Israel, I realised I needed to follow my
true dream of ‘being an artist’, whatever that meant. I decided to enrol on
a BTEC General Art & Design course. Again however, formal education did not
suit me. I found the tutors critical and superior, my creativity blocked and the
whole business quite demoralising. In 1993 I left before the end of the course
and joined 'Word & Action' as an Actor/tour organiser, a
co-operative Community Arts group based in Dorset touring extensively
across Europe. The work involved working in schools, youth clubs and adult
learning centres in groups of three performing ‘Instant Theatre’, where the
audience construct a story through a question and answer process and then come
out into the acting space to perform the story. We also ran many arts workshops
passing on the techniques.
My time at Word & Action was very intense and it was here that I was able to
form my own opinions of what art for me was all about. To me, art, creative
expression, whatever you want to call it, was about bringing communities
together, building not destroying peoples confidence. Everyone could enjoy Art,
in all its many forms; it wasn’t only for the elite few.
I came to the realisation that I didn’t need ‘permission’ to be creative,
I didn’t need a degree in art to be able to make what I wanted. Confidence in
my own creativity grew and I left the Co-op to develop my own work. I moved to
Manchester and registered unemployed, spent a year or more as a struggling
artist. I became involved with street entertainment. I created large masks and
puppets. I wanted to bring something new and unusual to the streets of
Manchester. However, I can’t say I was totally focused and to be honest I was
out of my depth and had no clear direction.
It was then that I began doing some voluntary work helping out on Mencap
holidays, working with people with learning disabilities.
At last, I began to see a career I could be fulfilled in, using my creative
skills working with disadvantaged groups.
I moved to London in 1996 to work in a residential unit for people with physical
and learning disabilities. For the next four years I worked there and in other
settings, with the homeless, autistic adults and with people with mental health
support needs. Although, I didn’t always have a specific creative role, I
always found the work very fulfilling.
I continued to develop my own creative interests, mainly working with papier
mache and mosaic and also had a go at stand up comedy for about a
year (With more success in some areas than others!)
In May 2000 I joined
Network Arts Lewisham part of the South London
& Maudsley NHS Trust and now work there as Deputy Manager.
Network Arts Lewisham is an arts project set up for people with mental
health support needs and it is here that I can say I have found my ‘perfect’
job.
I have a responsible role and with that there is all the inevitable paperwork,
however, I also have plenty of time for hands on work in the studio. My aim is
to share my enthusiasm for art and hopefully have some of it rub off on others.
It’s a real privilege to meet someone for the first time, invariably telling
us they’re ‘no good at art’ and yet within a few short weeks see them
creating beautiful pieces and growing in confidence after every session.
I am able to see each day how important art can be to individuals and how the
process of creating can be of such benefit to people’s mental health.
My own work has continued to develop and my main interest now lies in creating
large 3D mosaic fish. I have always been fascinated with the creatures that live
below the surface of the water. Unseen, beautiful and colourful, I imagine these
giants of the deep gliding effortlessly through tranquil waters. Some pieces I
base on actual fish, others are only inspired by certain species. I feel the
characteristics of mosaic fits well with the look of the final piece. Although
highly labour intensive I find the process both contemplative and meditative and
the final results can I believe bring out these same emotions in the viewer.
I’m not sure whether you’d say my work was art or craft but as I’ve come
to realise, it doesn’t really matter. I’m happy with the results and if
other people like them too, that’s great!
The arts are for everyone to enjoy, there shouldn’t be a fear of looking stupid,
of ‘not getting it’.
I would say to everyone bring some creativity into your life. Whether, painting
a picture, writing some poetry, acting in a play, whatever it is, have a go and
enjoy it.