Paul Steinberg 

Award winning artist

From a very young age, drawing was very important to me. In third grade, I tried to do the standard subjects like trees or sunlight with a little difference. I spent time adding lots of branches rather than a green ball that was meant to suggest leaves. For the sun, I always made sure to show each ray of the sun going to the top of the page or down to the ground. When I got to sixth grade, I met a classmate who was very talented. His drawings were what you might expect from a boy of that age, but the pictures of jet planes, etc., were detailed to practically a photographic level. For me, a jet plane was two ovals that over lapped. His drawing inspired me to work harder to learn the skill. I would draw pictures of classmates (yes they were the pretty girls) instead of paying much attention to the teacher. 

By the time I got to high school, my work was starting to develop. I spent my senior year trying to decide between my interests in art, music and writing. I had some talent in each, but had to try to decide what might give me the best chance of making a living from my creative pursuits.  In the end I chose painting because at that time, I felt that it gave me the best chance to succeed since I would have more control of the product in terms of finding customers and selling to them directly. 

I spent the next several years having some success as a painter. I won some awards and did some work that others have found enjoyable enough to want to purchase. I had a studio in Richmond, VA that allowed me to paint a good bit of work. One of the paintings that is in the site (James Center the Illumination) was created in a single weekend.  I hope you will enjoy the results of over 50 years of patience and effort.