Welcome to Clyde Steadman Fine Art

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9"x 12" $380

Painted by Clyde Steadman

I've put together a new web store at Etsy, that will feature some less expensive sketches from life.

One key question a painter should ask is: "Why am I painting this?" The answer to this question provides a guide to what is essential in the painting. Anything else, anything that doesn't further the goal of communicating the painter's answer to the viewer... is extraneous. Anything inessential actually hurts the painting, it obscures the connection between the artist and the viewer. I try to capture what is essential to how I see things.

This strategy guides me in composition. If I am responding to an expression on a face, it might not be important to include even a chin, or a hairline. Focusing on precise areas and limited subjects forces me to devote myself to the painting with an intense concentration. If there is nothing innessential in a painting, there is no part of it where I can allow myself to become distracted.

I judge my paintings by the intensity of their focus. I work hard on my paintings, trying to ensure that a viewer responds to something in them. Respect, both for the viewer and myself, demands that I don't paint anything I don't feel deserves a very careful examination.

This then is my promise to you: If I paint a woman's neck, including only part of her mouth and nose, and nothing else, it is because I thought that neck was important. I may not be able to convince you of its beauty... I may not be able to show you the extent to which an essential and specific human response to beauty is powerfully manifested in this neck... If I can't communicate that with my painting the lack is in my skill, not the degree of urgency I feel in communicating it.

The wide range of emotion and experience provide me with my subject. From a purely selfish point of view, I find time spent concentrating on a child's smile revives me if I spend too much time on cold warehouses, with silos... all industry and no humanity.

Unless otherwise noted, all paintings on this site are available for purchase. They are, however, subject to prior sale.

My paintings have been featured in recent shows at Zip 37 Gallery, Pirate: contemporary art, CORE New Art Space, Red Rocks Community College, the Fine Arts Gallery at St. John's College in Santa Fe New Mexico, the Art Students League of Denver, Über leather shop, The Antique Guild on Broadway, Gallery Stain in Denver, and Artists on Santa Fe, a Denver Studio/Gallery..

You can always find some of my paintings at Stella's, a great place to sit and enjoy a cuppa, and The L2 Gallery if you happen to be in Florida.

© Clyde Steadman 2007