Meet STEVE SEAGREN | painter ,actor ,comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with STEVE SEAGREN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi STEVE, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was always interested in the arts visual arts, performing arts etc. I think it was the challenge that attracted me and it was fun too. I started art school in the degree program of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with thoughts of becoming a painter back in 1978. But after art school I got into standup comedy. Made a living doing that for about 20 years. Eventually that evolved into acting for about another 20yrs. Then when I retired from that I returned to painting. That’s been my main focus since 2018.
But in each of these pursuits I can’t say that I was consciously thinking about them as careers so to speak. I just wanted to see where they would take me. How far could I go? Of course I’m not rich now or anything but I can’t say that I wasn’t successful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was younger and still in art school I would paint these huge 4ft by 6ft abstracts. I was really into the abstact expressionists at the time. Since I started painting again, my stuff is smaller and way more figurative. I’m not into the abstract guys so much anymore. I think part of the reason for that is my age. I’m older now and more patient..For the most part tho I think its because I’m living here in southern California. Did you know that Southern California is on the same latitude as the south of France? What do I think of when I think of the south of France? Impressionism! The south of France was “Impressionists Central”. I would argue that it was because of the light. We have the same light. Colors are brighter here .That’s what my work is about. trying to catch that southern California sun light .
Stand up was the first time I was able to make a living doing something creative. By the time it took me to L.A. there was no going back to civilian life. I found that everyone I knew or met here was involved the arts in some way ,writers, film makers, actors, musicians, etc. I began to see Los Angeles as a gigantic community of artists of all disciplines. It felt like anything was possible. And being here in an artists community made it easy to dream big and see those dreams come to life. Tho I’m still relatively new to the fine art scene I can see that its thriving and I am excited to be even a small part of it.
The thing I’m most proud of is that I was able to spend my life engaging in creative endeavors. I wrote a script. I made a two films. I painted a ton of pictures. I was on TV. I was in movies and I learned how to play a guitar… but not very well And I’m still learning and I still want to see where it all takes me .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My rule of thumb is I try to avoid eating at a place that has more than two locations I try to keep it strictly mom and pop.
Ok well first I’d have them stay at the Villa Brasil. It’s this quiet little motel on Washington in Culver City. They have a nice little diner there that serves a really good steak sandwich and sangria
Then if it’s in the summer I’d take them to the Surf Guitar 101 Festival at the Golden Sails Hotel down in Long Beach. It’s a 3 day week end celebration of Instrumental Surf Music with bands from all over the world. It’s a blast. I did a documentary about it 10 years ago called “Reverb Junkies”
I might take them to Taylors Steaks my favorite steak joint in Koreatown for a fancy dinner. Siamese garden for Thai by the Venice pier on Washington or maybe C&O for italian just up the street. Ernies in North Hollywood for Mexican . Domingos Italian Deli in Encino. They make my favorite Italian sub. A close second would be Mickeys Deli in Hermosa Beach
Gotta take em to the beach. My fave would be Point Mugu way up on PCH .Its the last beach before Oxnard. I did a couple paintings of that beach
I don’t really hang out in bars anymore but if we were gonna go for drinks I’d take them to the Escondite downtown or Purple Orchid in El Segundo or the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Denise Mix former owner of the old “Who’s on First comedy club” in Elmhurst Illinois who put me up on stage for the very first time back 1983. Everyone at Messina /Baker Ent my old management people . Candice Kaniecki my very encouraging acting coach. Ellis Talent Group my agents. Everyone one at Gallery of Hermosa, the Los Angeles Art Association, California Art league, Gallery 825, the always supportive Alan Altur, anyone who has bought one of my paintings and my wife Nancy Haggerty

Website: https://paintingsbysteveseagren.com

Instagram: @seagrenart

Facebook: seagrenart