Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve High.
Hi Steve, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back in 2017 a friend asked me to create a painting of all his pets. After the pet painting, I did a few more paintings of dogs for friends. The work was well received and in 2018 I made a brochure for High Dog Art and began painting dog paintings for anyone. There were also commissions for cats, horses, people, and even a sloth. I draw and paint the portraits using photos the people email me. As of now I have done over 250 paintings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Acrylic paint dries fast, and the work needs to be done quickly. This adds an element to the process that requires some special attention adding some moments of frustration or excitement
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In addition to pets, I like to paint landscapes for personal enjoyment. There have been commissions for a building once and a car once. I recently retired from a tech job with the school district. In the summers, for over ten years, I held art camps for kids. These camps were each of a different art area, from garden art, Impressionist art, or Thomas Hart Benton. Some camps included Paul Mallory, a local potter, and Bill Decker, a gourd artist. We often took field trips to the Nelson- Atkins museum or the Thomas Hart Benton house. I also used to have art classes for some kids. One student, Ben Shipley, has gone on and has his own pottery business. My paintings have been exhibited in a music shop and a coffee shop.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I have always been an artist. I loved drawing cartoons. In school and in college I was cartoonist for publications. In high school I used to paint cartoons on t-shirts for other students. I also enjoy writing. In 2013 I wrote and illustrated a book, Baker Dreams. Both my children grew up very artistic.
Pricing:
- 11 X 14 size – $50
- 16 x 20 size – $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highdogart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevesartcamp/
