Santa Fe, 2024

About the Artist

Steve lives amongst the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the San Luis Valley surrounded by some of the most dramatic and pristine scenery the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado have to offer. In the stillness of the air and far from any populated areas he works in virtual immersion within the very scenery that plays out in his landscapes.‍

Stephen Austin standing next to an abstract painting of clouds or ocean waves in an art gallery.

40th Annual All Colorado Art Show, Curtis Arts Center, Greenwood Village, Colorado, 2024

I consider all objects of the natural world with an equal level of scrutiny and importance. When I look at a landscape, I do not see an inert mass. Rather, I sense great energies at work, dynamic movement more akin to an ocean, or a living organism in a constant state of change. This energy permeates the Sangre de Cristos. During the indigo night sky it illuminates galaxies on a large scale and the tail of a tiny firefly on a smaller one. The source of that light is of the same origin, its release sublime. Depicting this energy and the physical form it manifests is my singular goal as a painter.

Painting the landscape offers direct interaction to the physical forces of nature, between land and atmosphere, mass and energy. While there is beauty in the visual, my focus is on the emotive experience, be it the drama and violence of the weather, or the stillness of land and sea in juxtaposition to the restlessness of atmosphere. My role as a painter is to access the subjective essence of a scene and express it in a manner that allows the viewer to become a participant in what I consider pure creation. I consider all objects of the natural world with an equal level of scrutiny and importance.

Spark Gallery Patterns of Chaos in Nature – The Medical Arts, a 2-person show with Judy Anderson-Kyoko Ono

I first saw Steve Austin's work last year and have followed his progress since then. Not only are his paintings gorgeous, the ideas they express resonate with me...The beauty and resilience of nature in his work grounds me with a soothing balm.

Judy Anderson, Denver, CO

Thank you, Stephen, for the wonderful artwork you have always produced and the serenity and happiness I feel when enjoying them.

 Patricia Garrett, Tampa, FL

People viewing abstract paintings in an art gallery
Visitors viewing abstract art in Valkarie Gallery, with large paintings and gallery schedule visible.

Spark Gallery Patterns of Chaos in Nature – The Medical Arts, a 2-person show with Judy Anderson-Kyoko Ono

Gallery Affiliation: 

Broadmoor Galley, Colorado Springs, Colorado

D’art Gallery, Denver Colorado

Spark Gallery, Denver Colorado

Valkarie Gallery, Lakewood Colorado

Lagerquist Gallery, Atlanta Georgia

Opus One, Atlanta Georgia

Gallerie des Arte, Sarasota Florida

Artist Steve Austin standing on a rocky ledge photographing a scenic landscape with autumn trees and a large mountain under a blue sky.

Crestone, Colorado

Self-photo, Gerhard Richter Mirror, Foundation Louis Vuitton, Paris, 2025

Steve's painting style is unique and creative. I have one of his landscape works, the color in his works has a way of capturing your eye and holding your attention.

  Joy Lucisano, Dillon, CO

I have been an adoring fan of Steve’s work for many years, and have several pieces of his work in my home. His use of color and geometric designs are particularly outstanding! 

Deanna Raso, Denver, CO

Exhibitions and Publications:

2026, Spot on #7 Exhibition D’art Gallery, Denver, CO

2026, 42nd Annual All Colorado Art Show Curtis Arts Center, Greenwood Village, CO

2025, Juried into the Santa Fe Gallery Association's 2026 Artist Catalog

2025, 41st Annual All Colorado Art Show Curtis Arts Center, Greenwood Village, CO

2024, Juried into the Santa Fe Gallery Association's 2025 Artist Catalog

2024, Seed, Juried Exhibition 2024 at BRDG Project Gallery, Denver

2024, 40th Annual All Colorado Art Show Curtis Arts Center, Greenwood Village, CO

2023, 39th Annual All Colorado Art Show Curtis Arts Center, Greenwood Village, CO

2022 Annual Littleton Museum exhibit

2022 Annual Lone Tree Art Expo

2021, Third Annual Group Show at D’art Gallery

2018 One-man show:  Patterns of Chaos in Nature – The Medical Arts at Spark Gallery, Denver

2017 One-man show: Non-linear Realities, Valkarie Gallery, Denver

2017 Annual group show at the Brighton Armory, Boulder

2016 Annual Lone Tree Art Expo

2016 A one-man show Littleton Museum

2015 Annual Littleton Museum exhibit