Steve Kell sold his first oil painting at age 18, (following in his mother’s footsteps), but his creative bent and runaway sense of humor quickly steered him toward cartooning and humorous greeting-card writing. Cut to forty years later (after moonlighting with a full career as a pilot, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross while in the Air Force flying DC-3’s in Viet Nam, and later flying for the commercial airlines PSA and USAir, logging well over 20,000 hours). Now a widely recognized magazine cartoonist, Steve has sold to a hundred different magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping. His Universal Press syndicated comic strip, “The Captain and Mandy,” appeared in over 70 newspapers nationwide.

In the last few years Steve has returned to the easel, (jumping at an early retirement package,) endured the many workshops, braved the elements, the howling breezes, packs of wild Chihuahuas, and a rather nasty tick that decided to have its way with him. His passion for painting the landscape, lugging the gear, searching for that perfect composition, now takes up most of his time. His goal is to lay something onto the canvas that embodies the spirit of the scene, as well as its beauty.

Although now represented by several galleries in the area, he still likes participating in the juried outdoor shows offered by the many art organizations to which he belongs. For up-to-date information on the show locations and workshops visit the website, Stevekell.com. Phone 949 275-4652

Represented by Cove Gallery, Laguna Beach, Mission Fine Art Gallery, San Juan Capistrano, Westervelt’s, Laguna Niguel

Memberships:

Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
Southern California Plein-Air Painters Association
San Clemente Art Association
Niguel Art Association
California Art Club