Meet Steven Saturn | Artist & Tattooer

As a community, our potential is most realized when our careers come from who we are, defined by natural ability and passion of interest. Pursuing a career, to me, means taking a passion seriously enough to make it your life’s work. My passion is creation; I decided to become an artist because I have felt the urge to create beautiful things from a young age. Whether it’s painting a portrait alone in a studio, cooking in a hot kitchen for a full restaurant, playing music for a street fair, or tattooing a full sleeve over the span of several months, the process of composing an arrangement into movement, form, texture and variety is the same. My goal in life is to have fun, and enjoy every waking moment. Creative paths are my gateway to that goal. However, a creative career takes risk, constant adaptation and the will to embrace the unknown.

I started out as a painter, selling work and being part of gallery shows in high school. At the end of college I was faced with the challenges of being an artist which I hadn’t planned for. In today’s society, marketing, advertising, networking, and social media are all just as important if not more so, than actually being skilled at anything. Because of this you have to have a network of support which keeps you current, transforms your work into sellable items, and keeps your social media presence trending.  The difference between an interest or passion and a full career is that interests are therapeutic in moments of necessity, and we are in control of those moments, choosing to stop and start at our leisure. Careers make us a slave to the interest of progress. The crossover between work and passion happens when one can slave away at their passion, and be thankful to do it again tomorrow. There will always be someone better than you, so never give up or feel like as an artist you aren’t adequate. Someone, somewhere will love what you do.  My career goal is to get better every day. Every piece of art is an opportunity to be perfect.

I live near little Saigon in between Long Beach, and Huntington. We would have to do a beach tour, Korean BBQ, and maybe plan a trip up to Malibu to Tony’s Greek spot, hitting LA to see something fun in between.

My family has been the foundation of my growth and ability to be an artist. Even though I might have stood apart at times being more of a freethinker, its been my relatives which have always had my best interest in mind. My Mom has been supportive of my creative abilities from day 1! She has always had ideas to help me grow into a professional. My grandparents and uncles and aunts have always shown me that there is a way to success, a way to do what you love and also support a family. My Dad has a creative mind and has understood what it takes to be an artist, as well as what it takes to support yourself through an artistic pursuit. Having family to share life with has taught me more than anything, and seeing my siblings now pursue their passions makes me proud of who they are. I dedicate my shoutout to my family and friends who I love so much!