Art & Life with Steven Muller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Muller.

Steven, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have been working in the arts for as long as I can remember. I always loved smushing paint around and welding things together. I had a small acetylene torch at home when I was a kid, possibly an odd toy, but it got a lot of use without burning down the house. I was never particularly encouraged but not discouraged either. No one prepared me for Art School, or any kind of education so I took on what was the most difficult for me and did a general education thing in college. Therefore all my art education is a self-taught type of scenario. When I finished college I thought about grad school or art school and again would not have been prepared with an adequate portfolio. I spent some time wandering and then researched cities and places that I could live and work with a strong arts community and an affordable component. Following a path in the arts was always a top priority. I have been pursuing my artistic growth in Boston now for over 35 years. I have a great studio, a great support system of fellow artists and most important I am thrilled with the work I am doing.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Currently I am working on a hand altered photo process, which I call Ink Jet Reduction. In this process I mask areas of photographs and write and draw with razor blades and sharpies (recently the addition of paint). Then I use chemicals to melt the exposed ink, re-arrange it, erasing parts and darkening lines. Currently I am printing multiple times on a single sheet of 17” X 22” paper, with some overlapping images to build the work surface up gradually and manually rather than using Photoshop. Multiple sheets of paper are sometimes joined to form larger works.

There is always a message in the work either in the text or in the photographs. This varies from piece to piece.

I have to say that I am uncontrollably driven. As for inspiration, working with a model or photographing the landscape as components of the work all gives me a buzz. There is nothing better than a little trespassing to shoot architectural or landscape photographs, or hanging out photographing naked men. I have been known to use captured screen shots, with which I am very carful about people’s identity (heads up Tony).

You should know: the art I make is original, meaningful and message orientated with a unique blend of political and homoerotic satire.

Additionally I am returning to some sculptural work.

What are the biggest challenges facing artists today?
The biggest challenges I think are time and space, which are two of the things I have always worked toward having for myself. I feel the younger generation and start-ups will be priced out of our expensive and over developed real estate environment, not to mention the cost of an art education, if one was to want to peruse that. Also the quasi-cast-system being set up by the republican component of our government will severely reduce the support for artists and art in general.

We need venues, financial support, and the support of the general population to come out and if not to buy to just be at the events shows and openings in and around the city.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a web site, which I swear I will keep updated from now on. I participate in Fort Point open studios, which for me is considerably interactive due to the nature and uniqueness of my work. I am also a member of the 249 A Street Cooperative, and artist owned live work building in South Boston and we maintain a gallery. I do exhibit, but don’t put a lot of energy into what I consider fundraiser shows.

The world is small. No one would have trouble finding me with a Google search and I am available to meet and show my work by appointment.

Contact Info:

• Address: 259 A Street Studio 11
  Boston MA 02210
• Website: stevenmuller.com
• Phone: 617-429-0041
• Email: stevenmuller@comcast.net
• Instagram: @259studio11
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.muller.9022

Image Credit:
Robert Siegelman