artiste d'mon >>> steve draeger

Much Color Preferred!
The Hyper-Realistic world of
Steve Draeger
Interview by: Silverio Pantalla

Who is Steve Draeger?
MMM, that's a good one. I guess I'm just a guy addictted to creating things. That's probably why I do so many different kinds of art. I love to construct and paint! Much color preferred.

What is so unusual about your art?
How does anyone describe art? I just think it's a bit unusual compared to any mainstream art.

Obviously there is much more unusual stuff out there than mine, but I just needed a term to try let people know what they were in store for.

What is "hyper-realistic" work?

I used that word in description of work I used to do way back when I was learning to paint. I loved surrealism, mainly Magritte. It just means that everything is "hyper-real". Everything is in focus foreground and background.

What is your most important goal in life?
Just to continue to be happy with everything I do.

If you could change anything about yourself; what would it be?
Don't drink so much and don't drive so fast (not at the same time!)

What can I say? I'm an artist.

If you could meet anyone living or dead; who would that be and why?
How 'bout Stephen King? Because I really look up to creative people with extreme imaginations, and I think he's got one of the best.

If you had to live in one room for your entire life, what would it look like?
My living room. But I don't think I would make it in just one room. I've got too much on my mind and too much to do!

Describe your processes and techniques.

My wall sculptures have the most elaborate process of all my art. I do the basic designing on a computer and transfer that over to different kinds of media.

It's harder working in the third dimension. It's always a challenge, figuring out which piece goes where, how they are mounted while maintaining a sturdy yet (somewhat) light sculpture.

My paintings are just walking up to a big blank canvas and going to town!

Why Murals?
To make money!

Also I do enjoy it. I really like designing restaurants because of the many people that get to enjoy my work. Or not!

Who have been some of your main influences as an artist and as a person?
As I said. Early on in my career I loved Rene Magritte's work. Over the years I learned to love abstract art.

I think the spontaneity of Pollock's paintings inspire me very much.

Finish the following statement: Butter is for food, what margarine is
for... Fake food!

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Basically, doing what I do now. Watching my work evolve over the years will be exciting. I love what I do so I don't expect much to change. Maybe not as many murals!