High Artist Spotlight: Steven Sult
Steve Sult lives and works in Southwestern Michigan from his studio in Niles, Michigan. Steve opened his doors in 2003 as Sult Mine Creative Group and gained a national and international reputation as a creative director and illustrating designer, developing new product introductions – successfully contributing to over seventy established and emerging client organizations in diverse industries in the US, South America, South America, China, and Europe.
Today, Steve creates visual art as an extension of language and communication, blurring the boundary between traditional and commercial art through type and image via prints, notecards, apparel, and posters in public spaces.
We recently asked Steve about his inspirations:
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Where do you find your creative inspiration?
None of us really has the ability to understand our path. My inspirations, borrowing ideas from Art Deco, from Islamic ornamental, from pop art, from Russian Constructivism, from commercial culture.
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Why do you do what you do?
I'm driven by a desire to inspire or provoke others, while enjoying the process of bringing something new and beautiful into the world.
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What art/artist do you most identify with?
Aubrey Beardsley, Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast, Michael Schwab, Craig Frazier, Paul Rand
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What themes do you pursue the most?
A critique to our political, economic, and social systems
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What role does an artist have in society?
I prefer to be a harbinger of hope, in this increasingly crazy world of ours and I find that images have immense power to restore collective emotional pain and lift the spirit.
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What is your artistic outlook on life?
If you’re going to be an artist, you must make your work your best friend. Whenever you’re feeling—tired, energetic, sad, lonely—go to your work and have a conversation with it.
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What advice would you give to your younger self?
Move away from what was is comfortable towards something, rebellious. Outrageous. Something ecstatically eccentric.
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Do you listen to music while you are creating? If yes, tell us your favorite song and artist.
Ry Cooder, Trouble, You Can't Fool Me; James Hunter Six, Mm-Hmm; Bill Evans, Complete_Riverside_Recordings; Mick Jagger & the Red Devils, Forty Days
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What's the best thing about being an artist?
To honor the graphic design and illustration of the past while presenting modernity as I look to a bright future of communities organizations, corporations who support those communities.
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What is your dream project?
Transforming and raising a cannabis brand's profile within the community they serve via wall mural buiding wraparounds.
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