STEVEN DALUZ’S UNIQUE NEO-LUMINISM!
STEVEN DALUZ has chosen San Antonio, Texas as his home. Although he moved around a lot as a child, being the son of an Air Force officer, Steven has been drawing as far back as he can remember. He’s always known he wanted to be an artist! Bborn in Hanford, California, by the time he graduated high school, he had already changed schools thirteen time and lived in different countries over a period of fourteen years. This however did not deter him from his childhood dream and he decided to finally take up painting in 2000. As Steven says so well: “I quickly discovered that I could spend an entire lifetime painting and barely scratch the surface concerning all there is to know about the discipline. That is exciting, as it offers endless possibilities”. He devised a method of working that he calls “Neo -Luminism”, using composite gold leaf, copper leaf, chemically-induced patinas and oil paint on panel in the process of creating works in that genre.
Steven, welcome and thank you ever so much for participating in this project and sharing with us your thoughts and feelings and answering the following questions:
1. “What is art to and for you”?
Art is a wonderful thing that makes us uniquely human. What other creature makes something for its pure aesthetic? For me, art is not an option–it is central to my existence. It is difficult for me to separate art from life. It has the ability to pierce my soul and cause me to ask questions. It answers no questions for me–rather, it asks questions. It is that avenue that allows me to communicate feelings and ideas that I am unable to adequately convey with words. Through my work, I hope to evoke feeling in others–to ignite their imagination. While some great art is being produced in the world that provides narratives, political statements, or symbolism, I think art requires none of these things to be wonderfully effective. As Magritte said, “People who look for symbolic meanings fail to grasp the inherent poetry and mystery of the image.” For me, the pure “beauty” or personal aesthetic of art need not explain anything. Its sheer beauty and poetry alone can be enough to make my spirit soar.
2. “What inspires you?”
I draw inspiration from many sources. Sometimes, dreams, something I have seen in a movie, a piece of poetry, music, a dance, other visual art. Sometimes the act of drawing or painting itself serves as a catalyst that 
drives me further along in the process of creating. For example: Not long ago, while watching a science documentary on TV about the universe, I drifted off to sleep and began dreaming. I dreamed I was traveling through space at the speed of light, endlessly careening until I approached the edge of the universe. I wondered what would happen if I pierced the boundary of the universe. Finally, I punched through the outer veil and slowed down to a stop. As I turned, I gazed back and looked upon the entire known universe, discovering that it was contained within yet another universe! What I gazed upon appeared to me as a massive egg-like form or “ovary”, opening up to reveal amazing light and gaseous clouds that comprised billions of galaxies. Then, I awoke–armed with inspiration for two new pieces, which I titled, “Ovum 2”, and “Portal”.
3. “When you are creating a painting, where does it take you? I mean, does your mind/spirit travel?”
Absolutely. Often, when I am deeply immersed in a painting, I get lost in it. I lose all concept of time. What seems like the passage of 20 minutes, turns out to be 4 hours! Sometimes, I am transported to another place while on a creative “journey” with a piece. As I work, I enter into a kind of dialogue or “dance” with the piece…the work itself influences the direction I take, regardless of my preconceived notions or intent at the outset.
4. Do you think painting, music and health are related and, if so,
how?
Well, I know my mental and emotional well-being are inextricably tied to my opportunity to paint. When I am not able to paint, I become irritable. I think the process of creating soothes my spirit, which cannot be a negative influence upon one’s physical health. I enjoy listening to music (usually without lyrics) while I paint. It helps put my mind into a state that is conducive for painting. Whether my body is producing endorphins, I cannot definitively say–but I know I feel invigorated when I am working. I am in no way suggesting it is a substitute for physical exercise or healthy diet…but it is central to my emotional well being and happiness. To the extent that a positive emotional state of being affects ones physical health, then yes, I believe painting, music and health are related.
5. When you are painting, how do you feel?
Usually, I feel invigorated when I am painting. It is the journey itself that brings the most joy. Solving visual problems engages my mind, and I enter into a kind of “dance” with the work. There is a kind of “tingling” in my gut when a piece is coming together well. However, sometimes a work is like a “wrestling match”. That happens when I am trying to bend the work into something it really does not want to become. In those times, it’s best for me to set the work aside, work on something else, and come back to that piece when we are ready to resume the dance.
6. Under what conditions do you work best?
I think I work best when I am alone in the studio, with loud, ethereal music that has no lyrics, or is in a language I do not understand. I do not like to be influenced by words. Classical music, Yo Yo Ma, Stella Mara, Clannad, Fingerstylist Guitar music, etc. is what I prefer when I am working. I get lost in the music, and into the painting.
7. Do you identify with your subject and if so, on what level?
I guess it really depends on what I am painting. In some, I identify intimately–with others, to a lesser degree. When I am painting an abstract work, it is always generated from within my imagination, so I am inextricably tied to my subject in that instance. In these works, I identify at the highest level of my emotional being. When I am painting a dancer, on the other hand, I can only imagine what they are feeling. Being human, I identify at some level with them, but I can only imagine what they are thinking as they move their bodies, sharpened by years of toil and repetitious practice. Yet, I appreciate the beauty and am washed over by the poetry of their movement.
8. Does painting help you connect with your higher self,
whatever that is for you?
Painting most definitely helps me connect with my “higher self”. When I am painting, I am lost within the moment, time often becomes meaningless, and I am truly “self-actualizing”. Often, I am transported to another realm, depicting imagery from within me that does not exist in the natural world as I know it. When I am most successful at plumbing these figments from the depths of my imagination, I almost feel as though I am on the edge of some other dimension. It’s exhausting and exhilarating all at once. This is an activity that cuts to the core of my being–it is what I was born to do.
9. How do you feel about creativity in the public school system?
I think the public school system, in America anyway, essentially crushes creativity. Under our current system, after mathematics, science, language, sports, and everything else–we find the arts in the order of importance. At the bottom of that heap, are the visual arts. In some schools, there is no art education at all. Imagination and creativity are not rewarded in the public school system. Very few schools place any real importance or value upon it. Instead, the schools teach to pass a standardized test. Mistakes are ridiculed, and there is little incentive to take risks and engage the imagination. In reality, I believe creativity is vital to us as human beings. The ability to think abstractly and to imagine possibilities I believe are critically important for the development of the whole person, and for the likelihood of success into the future.
10. In your opinion, what could be a simple solution to improve creativity in the public school system?
I do not claim to have any single “simple” solution, but it’s clear that our schools should reevaluate priorities and place much more emphasis upon the arts. Half the money that is funneled into football and other sports programs should be targeted into programs that nurture creativity. From an early age, play, discovery and exploration should be encouraged. Students should be taught to intensely observe the world about them, to question, and to take risks in the process of learning. Those activities should be rewarded instead of squashed. It really must be infused into our schools, because it’s at the heart of what we are as human beings.
11. During a show of your artwork, has it ever happened or have you ever felt that someone looking at a painting connected exactly to that same frequency you were vibrating to when you painted it? In other words when your eyes met, both of you shared that “moment”?
I can never be entirely sure if a viewer, when gazing upon my work feels the same things I felt at the time I created it. But, I think it has happened a few times. I can only hope that the work resonates with them at some level and that they connect with the work in their own way. Ideally, they “get” my meaning–but I am just as pleased when they derive their own meaning and feel something just the same. The viewer brings their own unique perspective to the table, along with the filter of their own life experiences. What we collectively share is our humanity. Though, I have had rare instances when a person has cried while looking upon a piece I created. I am deeply moved when that happens, and it is the highest praise I have ever received for a piece of my artwork. Whatever the work evokes within them, I am sincerely humbled when something I have created ignites such an emotional response.
Steven, again, thank you for sharing with us. This has been a most
interesting article. Your art in incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Until our paths cross again, keep well, be blessed!
TO THE READER :
You are cordially invited to visit Steven’ s links below to see more of his amazing work and get to know him even better. Thank you so much for your comments, they are sincerely appreciated. ENJOY!
The Artists Magazine article (Feb Artist of the Month): http://www.artistsnetwork.com/article/Steven-DaLuz
VisualSeen magazine article about “Neo-Luminism” exhibit in Houston: http://www.visualseen.net/DaLuz-.html
Poets and Artists magazine article:
http://poetsandartists.com/featured-art/steven-daluz/
Poets & Artists (8-page feature article inside with images of paintings) : http://issuu.com/didimenendez/docs/osnovember2009/1
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Comments
Steven’s work is exceptional.He combines skill,passion and purpose in his art. There is something powerfully commanding and magnetic about the luminosity and texture of his work. I find myself readdressing Steven’s work, both for inspiration and instruction. Your selection of him as a featured artist was a wonderful choice. Thank you!
waooooo. Amazing artwork.
Excellent.
A big hug from Buenos Aires.
hey thr. ur paintings r nice. in that sunlight yellow is very attractive. hw u manage it ? or thr is some digital effect ? best wishes to u. caa
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What fun!
I’m so excited about your neo luminism and would love to plan a trip around your workshop schedule.
You probably have a schedule posted somewhere, but I don’t see it. Please let me know about your workshop when you have a minute. Thanks for all you do! Sharon
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