From Engineering to Easel: The Journey of Steve Simon
Steve Simon was raised outside Chicago by immigrant parents from Luxembourg. As a youth, he enjoyed drawing but eventually pursued more technical interests. After receiving his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Simon practiced engineering in Germany. He later returned to Chicago to work as a management consultant. While in Chicago, he participated in oil painting workshops in the evenings but still did not consider an art career. Still searching for his calling, Simon chose to pursue an MBA in international business during which he studied in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and nine other cities throughout Eastern Europe and Asia. At this point, his travels had brought him to over thirty countries as the cultural exposure continued to fuel the latent artist.
After receiving his MBA, Simon accepted a consulting assignment in Paris, where he rented an apartment in the famous artist's quarter of Montmartre. In his free time, he visited art museums and painted in his studio apartment. The Parisian art scene worked its magic on him, and it quickly became clear that the artist within must be acknowledged. In 1994, at age twenty-nine, he moved to California to start his art career.
Landscapes and Seascapes: Simon's Artistic Vision
Steve Simon is known for his colorful oil paintings of landscapes and seascapes. His work captures the magnificent beauty of California, from peaceful redwoods in the north to bustling San Diego Harbor in the south, from the chilling heights of the Sierra Nevadas to the searing depths of Death Valley. Simon's artistic philosophy centers on what he calls "the artful pursuit of peace and harmony," inspired by the peace he found through acknowledging his true calling. In 2007, Simon moved to the beautiful Red Rock Country of Arizona, where he began painting new inspirations of the area's dramatic landscapes. His subjects have expanded to include scenes from Hawaii, Italy, Luxembourg, New England, and beyond.
Recognition and Publications
Steve Simon has produced over 350 oil paintings and published seven art books of his work, including "California: Through An Artist's Eye," an ambitious 60-piece collection representing a broad sampling of California's magnificent landscape. Demand for his work prompted him to open his own gallery on scenic Balboa Island, California, which he owned and operated for eight years. His collectors include a wide variety of private, corporate, and government clientele, both domestically and internationally.