Steve Oliver
Wildlife & Nature Art
My Story
So many wildlife artists start their bio’s explaining how much they have liked art, since they were young and their fascination with wildlife began at a very, very early age. Yup! My story is not so unusual or different. Apparently, when I was less than two years old, I showed an interest in drawing and as anyone can see from the photo to the right, boredom was something I've never been able to handle very well. Sitting in a chair doing nothing has just never worked well for me. Drawing turned out to be a great way to occupy time and something I've always enjoyed. Whenever there was nothing to do and even when there was, I could and would draw pictures.
As things turned out though, Watertown, NY was just about as great a place to grow up as I could have ever wanted. There were just so many things to do and enjoy. Boredom, as it turned out, was rarely an issue.
Born and raised in the Thousand Island region of upstate New York, I grew up with changing seasons and a childhood filled with many memories of playing in fields, ponds and woods that were home to all kinds of birds and animals. It is this familiarity with animals and my life-long ambition to be an artist that helped convince me to leave my vocation several years ago and begin a new, very enjoyable career as a wildlife and nature artist.
Truth is, I'm not really sure when I realized people actually made art as a career, but I do remember finding a large stack of old Saturday Evening Post magazines at my grandparent's home, when I was young. I remember quite vividly being impressed and fascinated with the illustrated animal art covers by an artist named Charles Livingston Bull. Seeing these images changed my life. Consequently, I now own several old magazines with Charles Bull covers.
Throughout the years, I have done several kinds of artwork, but for me, its wildlife art that allows me to combine the two things I am most passionate about: Wildlife and Art. My paintings are based on my passion for all living things and the many trips I have had the good fortune to undertake. On these trips, which have taken me all over the United States, I take the opportunity to observe and understand as much of the wildlife as I can. During these trips, sketches are made, photographs are taken and information is written down. Then, back at the studio, I put all this together. Although very proficient with several mediums and techniques, I prefer acrylics for painting, but sometimes combine them with colored pencil or ink.
Travels have taken me to Africa and all over the United States, including multiple trips to Alaska. I consider myself to be very lucky to have had the opportunities to go to so many amazing places. To view some photographs from these trips and others, go to NEWS & TRAVEL at the top of this page.
Since making my career change in 1995, I have become a member of the world-wide animal artist organizations: The Society of Animal Artists and the Artists for Conservation. My artwork has also received several acknowledgements and awards,. including a coveted Award of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists in 2004.
