Our family met Steve at the Camrose community church when we used to go to church there. My mom became friends with his wife Cheryl, and our families became friends. I was curious about his art and how he started his artistic journey..
1. Where do you currently work?
I have a studio in my home, and that is where I create my paintings. I also have a wood shop in the yard where I build the frames and supports for my work. I have been a professional artist for over 30 years, and my studio has really become the centre of my life and my work.
2. What are your hours?
Well, I can paint anywhere from an hour to all day—and trust me when I say all day. I tend to lose all track of time when I am in my studio. I actually enjoy painting very late at night and into the early hours of the morning. There is something about that quietness that I really enjoy. No one is calling, no one needs my attention, and I can simply be present with what I am creating. Those are often the times when I feel most connected to the work.
3. What are some of the other jobs you have had?
For many years I was a finishing contractor, and that experience has become surprisingly valuable to what I am doing with my art today.I have always enjoyed working with my hands and understanding how things are constructed. That knowledge of construction and woodworking has helped me tremendously, particularly with the direction my work has taken.I now use century-old reclaimed wood that has lost its original purpose and incorporate it into my paintings. I build much of the structure myself, so my background as a contractor has given me a practical understanding of materials, construction, and how things can be put together. It has probably been one of the most valuable resources I have carried into my career as an artist. And somehow, in the middle of all of that, I always found time to be quiet and draw. If something caught my attention, I drew it. I was curious about how things worked and how they were put together. I was constantly trying to figure things out and get whatever was in my head onto paper.
4. What was your childhood like?
I was born in Hay River, in the Northwest Territories, and growing up in a remote northern community had a real influence on me. I was raised with an appreciation for the resources around us and an understanding of how precious they were. When you live in a remote area, you become very independent, but you also learn that your decisions matter. Making a poor decision can have much greater consequences when there aren’t a lot of people or resources around to help you.I learned a great deal about human nature up there too, and that is something that has stayed with me throughout my life. Most of my childhood, however, was spent after we moved to Terrace, British Columbia. Terrace was an outdoorsman’s dream. There was fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking and swimming in some of the most beautiful lakes. That is where I really developed an interest in drawing and creating. I also made some of the best friends I have ever had. I was a very busy kid.
5. How did you get started in your current job that you have now ?
Eventually, we moved to Camrose, where I began junior high school, then went on to composite high school. From there I went to college and studied fine art and design before graduating from the University of Calgary with a degree in Fine Art. For most of my artistic career I have had my work in galleries then I took time away to develop this new series. Now I am back showing my work in galleries with a current exhibition now at the Red Brick Common Gallery in Stony Plain. You can view my work at https://www.stevemitts.com/
6. Tell us about your family.
I met my wife, Cheryl, before I even started college. She wasn’t particularly interested in me at first, but I was very interested in her. It took her about five years to finally notice me—but when she did, well, we’ve been together for over 32 years now. We have two beautiful daughters, Raelene and Katie, and we are incredibly proud of both of them. They have both moved out now, so it’s just Cheryl and me once again.The house is certainly quieter these days, but in some ways that has been a wonderful thing. It gives me even more time in the studio, and that is really where I am happiest.
