Steven Ketchum

Bending to the Void, 2025
Mixed media on wood panel
16 x 16 inches

Spending my evening working on a bunch of new paintings. I'm learning how not-archival most of my drawing supplies have been. So, I'm playing with materials that can last on a wall, at times blended with drawing.

Work sprawl.

Took ~ 45 minutes this morning with watercolors to make progress on a bunch of smaller drawings that I've been keeping in my backpack. I had a coworker ask me this week how in the world I maintain a creative practice while doing design work, not to mention raising three kids. I take inspiration from Bukowski who managed to write every night while spending decades doing mundane drudgery as a Post Office worker. You need to keep the spark alive, not to have shows or fame, but to be able to live in this world at all.

Val Kilmer was the cool guy I looked up to as a kid. WILLOW was my first in-theater experience that I remember and helped fuel sword swiping experiences in my backyard. REAL GENIUS regularly appeared on television and it gave me optimism about my future; finding friendship despite an often overwhelming loneliness.

Zipping around West Palm Beach and Norton Museum of Art with fellow art critic Willem Ketchum.

A couple smiling happies at my desk.

5 years ago. I'm a lucky Dad that Finn still wants to hold my hand snuggle on the couch after all this time.

My muse.

This weekend has been a hustle to get the new studio/creative space all done. The large unfinished painting featured here hasn't had space to breathe since 2021 and now I feel so fortunate to get back to work on it soon.

First time boxing and hitting the heavy bag in months. I thought I was going easy, but found this temporary tattoo on my knuckles after removing gloves and wraps. Lots of stress I guess.