Steven Paul Carlson is an artist devoted to revealing the life behind the eyes of his subjects.
Steven Paul Carlson
Artist's Statement
What if, at the age of six, you already knew what you would do for the rest of your life?
That was my story.
The year was 1959. I had just graduated from kindergarten when I realized that I was going to be an artist and illustrator. I even knew the kind of art I wanted to create.
While my friends still dreamed of becoming cowboys, I wanted to be Norman Rockwell.
My name is Steven Paul Carlson.
I often describe myself as a portrait artist, although my work extends far beyond traditional portraiture. Whether the subject is human, animal, or part of the natural world, I approach each piece as a portrait — an exploration of life itself.
My goal is to capture something deeper than appearance. I strive to reveal life that feels present, breathing, even thinking. A moment so vividly rendered that the viewer almost expects the head to turn, the eyes to blink, or a hand to gesture.
Each work takes me on an extraordinary journey into the character and spirit of its subject. Through careful attention to the smallest details, a unique relationship forms between the artist, the subject, and ultimately the viewer. In that connection, something deeper emerges. I begin to sense and understand the subject from within, and through that quiet union, its inner essence finds expression in the artwork.
Life gives birth to art, and the artwork, in turn, takes on a life of its own.
I work in a wide range of mediums, from pencil to oil paint, though I have developed a particular passion for pastel and graphite. Their tactile qualities allow me to engage directly with the surface, blending and shaping the medium with my hands.
Over many years, I have developed a personalized pastel technique that allows for the application of numerous soft, translucent layers. Each delicate layer builds upon the last, gradually revealing depth, luminosity, and life within the image. The refinement of this technique has been a lifelong pursuit.
The aim of art is to represent not just the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle
That was my story.
The year was 1959. I had just graduated from kindergarten when I realized that I was going to be an artist and illustrator. I even knew the kind of art I wanted to create.
While my friends still dreamed of becoming cowboys, I wanted to be Norman Rockwell.
My name is Steven Paul Carlson.
I often describe myself as a portrait artist, although my work extends far beyond traditional portraiture. Whether the subject is human, animal, or part of the natural world, I approach each piece as a portrait — an exploration of life itself.
My goal is to capture something deeper than appearance. I strive to reveal life that feels present, breathing, even thinking. A moment so vividly rendered that the viewer almost expects the head to turn, the eyes to blink, or a hand to gesture.
Each work takes me on an extraordinary journey into the character and spirit of its subject. Through careful attention to the smallest details, a unique relationship forms between the artist, the subject, and ultimately the viewer. In that connection, something deeper emerges. I begin to sense and understand the subject from within, and through that quiet union, its inner essence finds expression in the artwork.
Life gives birth to art, and the artwork, in turn, takes on a life of its own.
I work in a wide range of mediums, from pencil to oil paint, though I have developed a particular passion for pastel and graphite. Their tactile qualities allow me to engage directly with the surface, blending and shaping the medium with my hands.
Over many years, I have developed a personalized pastel technique that allows for the application of numerous soft, translucent layers. Each delicate layer builds upon the last, gradually revealing depth, luminosity, and life within the image. The refinement of this technique has been a lifelong pursuit.
The aim of art is to represent not just the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle