Artist Study 3: Steven DaLuz

Artist Study 3: Steven DaLuz
Being in my third artist study, I am beginning to think that that story of a lonely kid who didn't find art until their late teens, when they acquired also the magical skills of becoming a famous artist, is the artistic version of Cinderella. Steven DaLuz, although harbors the skills to blow people away with his art, is not one of those ‘ Cinderella’ kind of kids. Unlike the magical artist that all young kids are so dying to be, Steve has focused on art since middle school and believes that art is a lifelong journey of learning. Since a young age, he has been doing as much as he can to be a better artist from copying superheroes in comic books, magazines and even kids at school, to reading all the books there are to read and visiting work of “old masters.” He took art classes every year in high school and got his BFA from UTSA. Steve claims that next he would work for months with different materials until he found the right materials and techniques that “best expressed [himself] through art.” That is when he began to learn the most. When I asked him what would he recommend to someone to develop their skills, he says that it is very important to have discipline and to establish a great foundation in drawing skills even if one plans to move onto sculpture or digital art. He also says that an artist should spend a lot of effort learning various skills so that they can find the best process and materials for their style and then master it. DaLuz goes onto recommend a general knowledge of design principles, composition, color theory, MINIMUM. “ Ideas, and WHAT is expressed lies within the artist.” In the same response he mentions that drawing is just a tool for you artist tool box, and that ideas and themes of pieces cannot be taught and must be found on their own. He states that one should first find a good and proficient instructor,(preferably one that the student admires and/or respects) “BUT, they should not try to emulate that artist too much in style or manner.  Rather, they should focus upon gaining technical proficiency with the medium.” He recommends to keep your mind open and experiment so that you can find what medium and style is right for you. As John Park mentioned, Steve also recommends a growing artist to be proactive; get involved in art associations, take advantage of books, DVD’s, and any other instructional material he/ she can get their hands on.
    Has your brain exploded with crazy artistic information yet? Fear not, for we have survived the worst of it. Like any sane artist, he advocates to hit the ground running after art school but also to not expect a win right out of the gates. Expenses such as studio space, supplies, shipping expenses, framing, website, advertising, travel,and more are all going to be financial... inconveniences for a full time artist who is still green out of art school. What DOES Steve urge you to do? First of all, a part time job is key, at least until your art pays more than your waitress/ janitor gig. Plus, save up some money before going off and buying yourself a studio and a new pair of pumps. In general, you should have a consistent “body of artwork” of around 12-25 works BEFORE bothering galleries. Next in your lovely art path, you will go through three “career stages.” First, while you’re still emerging as an artist, you have to keep patient and stick to your guns until you get a good career going and are making enough money to at least scrape by without selling any organs. Finally, you will become “established,”and you all know what that means kids... Partay with my bro Picasso! Plus, being an art teacher is always possible with an MFA! I apologize for the off topic-ness.
    When I asked Steve about instability in an art career he explains that you can’t put all your eggs in one basket: there will be good months and there will be lean months. Not everyone will connect with your artwork and there isn't really a solution for that.Secondly, expansion is key! You can’t expect to sell in one spot without exhausting your resourc-I mean buyers! Try to show work in several different galleries. It is also sometimes necessary to shuffle work around. Steve mentions that some work in one city will sell better that in another city.
    Since most artists I have talked to are about in the same generation and have much of the same answer to this question, I think its worthwhile to share this response to how have your actions after high school affected your career: “In my era, it was a bit different than now.Any male over 18 was registered for the draft, and if you were not in school at the time, and in good health, you were likely to be drafted into the military and sent off to Viet Nam.  My good friend was sent there, so I decided to join the Air Force.  That decision postponed my art career for over 20 years.  Still, I found a way to create art part time, always fueling my passion.  There is no "expiration date" for being an artist.  I did not return to art school until I was 43 years of age.  For the past 7 years I have enjoyed full-time income as an artist.  I recommend that young students who are able to financially handle it--pursue your passion as soon as you can. Start early, and stay motivated.”
    To wrap up our little weekly interview, DaLuz says that when he started as an artist he focused on getting his work into galleries but now struggles with what he feels like he should be making and what the galleries want to sell. He NEVER intentionally creates work that resembles another living artists work but also explains that we cannot worry about being original. He has a regular schedule of spending a fair amount of time in the studio where he cannot be disturbed. Although he spends plenty of hours in his studio, he also seems to think about art all the time: going to openings after dinner and planning after breakfast.Like all the other artist I have talked to, he meets artists naturally and all over the place. Steve considers art a lifelong journey of which you cannot just “arrive” at with so many techniques and studies that you can expand to. Finally he wishes that he had started his long journey earlier and the best advice he has ever been given has been:"Save at least 6 months of living expenses before going out there to make it as an artist."
    Since this Artist study seems much longer and more like a list of responses than it should, I will get to the point. I really enjoyed this interview mostly because many of the responses were full of information and didn't leave me asking questions. I would give Steven’s artwork five stars because the technique he uses is like no other and the way he uses light is all his own. Those two things basically mean the same thing but I have a lot of homework left and the night is no longer young. Until next week, adieu.