Philly Special

by Steve Scheuring

“My paintings are a means of connecting – to fond memories of my past, to feelings I’m trying to understand or reconcile, to moments I don’t want to lose, to my dreams and aspirations, and to people, places, and things that inspire me and have formed the essence of who I am. Started drawing as a kid – was fascinated with comic books and fantasy. Would sit for hours trying to replicate Frank Frazetta covers. Drawing meant escape – was turned on by things I couldn’t see, places I haven’t gone to, places that didn’t exist - the "unattainable". Would get so engrossed in drawing my Mother would say, “the house could be burning and you wouldn’t even know it.” Now, it’s the little things around me that draw me to the easel. When I lived away from "home" in Houston a number of years ago, everything was new - loved the Indian paint brushes, blue bells, and other Texas wildflowers. I'd comment, “they don’t have wildflowers like this in PA.” When I moved home, I started to see things through a different perspective. Sure, there are wildflowers – a field loaded with dandelions or crown vetch is beautiful – I just hadn’t truly seen them before. Striving to capture those fleeting moments when I’m fully tuned in to the beauty around me is why I paint.”