Steve Levine began his career with Crayola paints.
By: Brian Shappell
Anyone can be an artist if you ask lifetime South Brunswick resident Steve Levine.
Mr. Levine, now 28, began his first painting just three years ago as a creative escape from the 9-5 grind of working at McCaffrey’s in Princeton. What he found was the creative outlet he’d been searching for his entire life.
"I just wanted to see if I could do something creative," Mr. Levine said.
"I really feel like I’ve accomplished something when I paint. I just wish I would’ve started before I just didn’t think of it."
Mr. Levine, with no formal training, began working on portraits with Crayola paints on cardboard to improve his skill. He soon found his way to working with acrylics and watercolors.
In October, Mr. Levine’s art was part of a group exhibit put on by the South Brunswick Arts Commission at the Wetherill Historic Site.
The artist said he enjoyed being a part of an exhibit that showcased so many different artistic styles.
"It was nice because everyone has their own thing they do," said Mr. Levine.
"I actually wish there were more in the show. I like a lot of new ideas."
Different is probably the best way to describe Mr. Levine’s work.
The vast majority of his paintings are brightly colored, abstract portraits. Mr. Levine’s goal of creating art is to do so in a spontaneous, original manner, without over thinking what he’s doing.
"With each painting I try to make something completely different," Mr. Levine said. "I just sit down and paint. Whatever comes out, comes out. I don’t really plan it."
Currently, Mr. Levine is eyeing the possibility of doing his own shows in 2002 in central New Jersey or in New York City because he said he believes the city audiences will be more receptive to his work.
"It’s hard to get started in this industry, but I’m trying to make it work," Mr. Levine said. "I’m really in no rush. I just love doing it because it releases my energy."
Though a man of few words, Mr. Levine said he thinks more people should try painting or another art medium because they might be surprised what they can tap into, just as he was.
"If people have any desire to be creative, I think they should just go do it," he said. "If you believe you can paint you can."