Stories Behind The Art
Welcome to Stories Behind the Art. Every artwork has a story—an idea, memory, place, or moment that inspired it. Explore each piece to discover what sparked its creation and the meaning behind the details.
"‘Venom Viper’
Bothriechis schlegelii, also known as the ‘Eyelash Viper,’ is the scientific name for this fascinating creature. This painting was made to showcase the beauty of one of the venomous reptiles in Ivan Martinez’s collection. It is widely considered amongst the most beautiful of snakes worldwide. I painted it from a photograph I personally captured and remained faithful to every scale. This painting was professionally framed and exhibited at the Coral Springs Museum of Art during the CS Art Guild Art Show.
‘MotoGP World Champion’
Miami, Florida motorcycle dealership, Unique Superbikes owns this painting of MotoGP Champion, Marc Marquez aboard the Repsol sponsored Honda MotoGP motorcycle. Every sponsor decal was faithfully recreated and hand painted. Painted with a black background to enhance the visuals of the rider and his motorcycle, many people mistake it for an enlarged printed photograph ~ which is a high honor and makes this painting a successful visual masterpiece.
Wham! Singer George Michael
New York City’s the Casey Kaplan Gallery commissioned me to paint a series of 26 black/white car hoods based on Americana - Route 66 style images. The series was a complete success selling out every piece with many becoming reserved prior to my completing them due to the gallery’s display pieces having been sold! One buyer was the world famous singer George Michael of the 1980’s group Wham! You can see more of the pieces on the ‘Exhibitions’ page.
30 Years In The Making …
Dr. Bruce and Leslie Meller stumbled upon a painting 30 years ago, but sadly, they didn’t get to buy it. Leslie always cherished the painting, remembering it vividly, and kept it alive in her heart. She reached out to me, sharing her cherished memory of the painting, and I created several digital mockups based on her descriptions. After many attempts and tweaks, I finally created an image she absolutely loved, which became the starting point for this painting. Now, it’s proudly displayed in their Wellington, Florida home as a cherished memory from 30 years ago! It features five horses lit by a campfire under a stunning twinkling New Mexico night and a shooting star.Art Imitating Art !
This painting is quite special because I don’t often get asked to do an abstract piece. But here’s the twist: Sam Sanchez, an entrepreneur and businessman from Brooklyn, New York, who also has a residence in Puerto Rico, wanted this abstract for his island home. While he was in Miami, Florida’s art scene, he saw an art show with these strange air-filled tubes and asked me to paint the ‘art installation’ as a painting. He even showed me a photo of the event, which kicked off this painting. It’s bright and looks abstract at first, but if you look closely, you’ll see that the painting actually recreates the tubes of the art installation. What looks abstract is actually a detailed picture of an art installation—it’s art imitating art! The vibrant, saturated colors really need to be seen in person to fully appreciate.1936 Art ~ Becoming Art !
In 1936, Harley-Davidson unveiled the Knucklehead—a motorcycle many enthusiasts regard as one of the most beautifully styled classics ever built. Retired NYPD officer and avid collector Pat Brosnan owns what is widely considered the finest-preserved 1936 Knucklehead in existence. This painting honors that remarkable machine, capturing its iconic lines and intricate details down to the last nut and bolt.
Today, the painting hangs in Brosnan’s Greenwich, Connecticut home, affectionately known as “the Bat Cave.”“The detailing is amazing and hard to believe is a painting- this is just stunning Steve…”
--Pat Brosnan
‘King Judah’
I painted 'King Judah' to express courage, strength, kingship, and faith: as well as hope!
In Jewish tradition, the lion is a symbol of the tribe of Judah, rooted in Jacob’s blessing: “Judah is a lion’s cub” (Genesis 49:9). The image is often associated with Judah’s royal lineage, especially King David and the hope for a future Davidic Messiah.
Christians & Catholics believe that Jesus is the promised king from Judah’s line. Genesis 49:9–10 compares Judah to a lion and speaks of a ruler from Judah. Christians connect that promise to Jesus through his identification as a descendant of David, who belonged to Judah’s tribe, and to Revelation 5:5, which calls Jesus “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.”Whether Christian, Catholic or Jewish, the symbolism of “King Judah” is a powerful symbol of many faiths.
The ‘Hope’ of Polo
I have a fondness for wildlife and find horses to be majestic animals. I was excited to enter the equestrian art space and was delighted to learn about local hero, 'Hope Arellano'. I’m excited to highlight a local talent in Wellington, Florida, a vibrant equestrian community! I stumbled upon “Hope”—literally! Hope Arellano is a shining example of what’s possible for women in polo. As a Wellington, Florida native, she’s bringing a unique blend of skill, grit, and enthusiasm to the sport. This painting is a tribute to her growing influence and the inspiration she’s giving to young players. Hope Arellano has already made a significant mark on the equestrian world. The American 10-goaler has clinched her third Women’s Argentine Open title in a row, and she’s still making waves with her impressive achievements.‘The Snow Hunter’
Being a Florida based artist, I wanted to paint something cool and cold as allot of my work seems to include warm tones; thus the snowy owl.
I started with layered snow blues to set the scene: deep midnight tones give way to vivid Arctic cobalt blues, bringing a cool glow to the sky and the snow below. Against this shifting blue, the snowy owl surges forward through the storm, wings spread and golden eyes fixed ahead. The contrast of luminous plumage and dark, windblown surroundings captures the speed and wild energy of winter. Using an airbrush allowed me to create the wispy details and tones. This painting always seems to get people excited- I'm glad it's met with such positivity.
“Seeing it in person is absolutely breathtaking! I’ve seen the photos before, but the painting comes alive—I’m so impressed.”
–Doctor Bruce Meller
Wellington, Florida
