Visual Arts: visual arts background
Steven's first discovery of the visual arts was at age 7.  From the very beginning he showed a strong aptitude for creating figures and faces.  Having no formal art education, Steven's expertise has come solely from personal study and experimentation.  This self taught approach accounts for the unique look and pure originality of his work.

Following High School, Steven was an illustrator and designer with an advertising agency.  Eventually he started his own freelance studio. He was a courtroom artist, on-air illustrator and graphic artist for a major Twin Cities television station.

In the year 2000, Steven decided to pursue his dream of being a "fine artist" (non commercial).  In just one year his collection of work soared from two pieces to over thirty. This past year Steven has shown his unique and popular work in a number of art shows and street art fairs, as well as the Minnesota and Arizona Renaissance Festivals.

Magical Arts: sleight of hand background
The fascination with doing and creating things with his hands is what drew Steven into magic.  Close-up magic, or sleight of hand magic, is the style of magic performed inches away from the audience and in the artist's hands.  The visual arts and the magical arts balance out very well. 

Steven's favorite engagements were at the many restaurants and clubs within the Twin City area.  Other performances include corporate events, numerous television appearances, and a spot in the full-length motion picture Jackpot produced by Academy award nominee director, John Goodell.  Steven performed the many intricate playing card, poker chip, and coin manipulations throughout the gambling scenes.  During the 1999-2000 seasons Steven retained the position of resident close-up magician at the Excalibur Hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Martial Arts: physical background
Martial arts, as unusual an addition as it may seem, blends excellently with Steven's other arts.  The physical demands of the martial arts balances out the more tactile and cognitive arts of magic, portraiture, and illustration.  Steven has owned and operated his own martial arts school and taught martial arts and self-defense to children and adults for nine years.  Steven has traveled internationally competing and winning numerous grand championships and international and world titles.  Steven is a 4th degree black belt and has appeared in many of the leading martial arts magazines. He has also authored numerous articles on martial arts training.  Steven is retired from the full time rigors of martial arts competition and teaching. Now he only tutors privately.

In 1986, while operating his school, Steven received a Certificate of Commendation from the Governor of Minnesota for quality of service.