Meet Steve Yurko | Illustrator & Storyboard Artist

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

Hi Steve, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creating art was the only thing that came natural to me. I don’t particularly believe in destiny, or subscribe to the phrase “I was put on this planet to *Insert profession here*,” but I just can’t see myself doing anything else. Picking up a brush, pencil, pen, crayon, marker, etc. just felt like second nature to me at such a young age. Since then I’ve felt almost compelled to create, even on days when I can’t be bothered to lift a finger. Ideas run through my head constantly. Only when you’re that passionate will you devote the time and energy to cultivate that knack and grow.

I also couldn’t feint this type of passion into any other stable career. It’s almost a curse!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel like I’m the last person on earth that could adequately describe my art. In my mind it has looked the same for so long. Some of techniques others have attributed to my style are bold, clean line art, expressive characters, and the fusion of Western and Japanese art styles merged into one.

I wouldn’t say I had a big hill to climb, or faced many grueling setbacks on my path to creating art on a professional level, but I wouldn’t say it was all that easy, nor did I have a 5 year plan or anything close to it. Nobody taught me how to break in, land a job, become a professional. I continued to create, I made friends and genuine connections amongst my peers in school, at conventions, and online. It took friends to encourage me to take a chance on myself, and to take me under their wing. Before I even realized it, work was coming in more consistently. The results are a cocktail of the right skills, knowing the right people, and being at the right place at the right time. It’s not the most applicable or fair advice I can give to anyone. I had some help getting the door open, but then it was up to me to prove myself and be allowed to stay inside.

If I learned anything it’s that if you want to create, then create. Don’t put off a project of yours until you think you’re at a worthy skill level. No idea comes fresh out the mind perfect. Start now, grow as you work on it, because when you’re truly passionate about something, you’ll want to improve for the sake of making art you’re proud of and you want to share. Seeing an artist grow through their work is some of the best parts of observing and admiring art. Keep creating and putting yourself out there. Eventually it’ll catch the eyes of someone with a great opportunity for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh no, itinerary are intimidating to me when I’m in charge of them.

I’ve become such a recluse since art became my full time career, so I wouldn’t know what nightlife is that isn’t hanging out with friends on a Discord call.

The food out here is tremendous when you know where to look. There’s no shortage of great Mexican food here. Even the taco street stands you might catch on a sidewalk or parking lot somewhere on a random night are stellar.It might cost you some more, but LA has some fantastic food here. There are a lot of great spots in K-town. After you had your fill, go hit up a karaoke place for like 4 hours and go ham.

Touristy? I really love the view from the Griffith Observatory at night. Looking over the city lights is peaceful from way up there.

I’m also a sucker for Disneyland. If that’s your sort of thing and you’ve never been, I can lead you around both of those parks in a day and you will get your money’s worth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could be writing this for the rest of my life, as I think I owe so many people a debt of gratitude.

I just want to thank anyone out there that ever believed in me. The power those sentiments bestowed upon me is what encouraged me to take a chance on myself.

Website: http://steveyurko.com

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/steveyurko

Other: http://twitch.tv/steveyurko