Painting
I began oil painting in 1970. During my senior year at the University of Santa Clara I took art lessons from Luis Busta in San Mateo. Luis was a classically trained artist and a very accomplished teacher. He felt that his students should spend at least one year drawing in charcoal before starting to paint in oils. However, after I had successfully completed several charcoal drawings, Luis agreed to teach me oil painting, well before the one-year period had elapsed.
Luis Busta emphasized palette knife painting techniques. He had a hands-on style of teaching. If a student made a mistake, Luis would step in, take the student's palette knife, and demonstrate how to correct the problem on the student's canvas. This was a very effective way for the students to learn palette knife painting techniques quickly and effectively. However, it did require that the students be flexible and be receptive to constructive criticism.
My most recent work has consisted of a set of plein-air-inspired paintings. Plein air painting represents many challenges and opportunities. Painting outdoors requires a different approach than painting in a studio environment. Therefore, I have had to adjust my painting technique to meet the requirements of plein air painting. I have found this style of painting to be in accordance with my interest in the California landscape.
Main Web Site
Please use the following link to see some examples of my work on the Gallery's main web site: The Steve Soult Gallery.
Photography
I began my work in serious photography in 1967. Since that time I have traveled extensively, creating photographs of subjects located both domestically and abroad. My photographs adhere to the West Coast tradition in fine art photography.
Two important goals of photography, as an artistic medium, are mastery of photographic composition and mastery of photographic technique. In order to achieve these goals, I have studied with some of the prominent individuals in art and photography including:
- Ansel Adams
- Morley Baer
- Dorr Bothwell
- Wynn Bullock
- Henry Gilpin
- Clarence John Laughlin
- Jerry Uelsmann
- Al Weber
In 2015 I went on photography trips to the Galapagos Islands, Florida, Hawaii, and Yosemite. These trips resulted in many fine photographs in both the digital format and on B&W film. I am planning to create prints of some of these photographs later for exhibition.
I prefer to produce B&W silver gelatin prints using traditional darkroom techniques. I find it far more enjoyable to "paint with light"; rather than manipulating the images with Adobe Photoshop CC. In addition, it is really wonderful to create fine B&W prints without the use of a computer. The B&W prints are processed to archival standards and selenium toned in accordance with the "new" archival process using the LegacyPro EcoPro line of products.