Meet the Artist: Steve Spathelf

Name and Age:  Steve Spathelf, 54

Hometown:  Rural Ohio

Time in Dunedin:  25 years

Keys to Awesomeness: Spathelf’s contributions in downtown include the "Welcome to Dunedin Postcard" mural on the side of the Thorton, Donoghue & Associates office building in downtown Dunedin and the familiar orange fruit paintings on more than 90 buildings around town. Spathelf also created Smokehouse Sally, the "mascot" for the newly opened and art inside the restaurant.

When did you start practicing your art?

"I started practicing at 8 years old."

Where can people find your art?

"People can find my art at over 92 places around Dunedin. I’m well known for the oranges found around the city. When I was painting the Welcome to Dunedin Postcard mural, people mentioned I should do more of that, which led to the oranges. People have asked for the oranges on their mailboxes, garage doors, etc. People can find my work at the . People can also find my work in select homes across the Bay area."

Steve's work can also be found at , 730 Broadway, or on his website.

What keeps you doing it?

"I just love it.  I feel very, very blessed and fortunate that I can do something that I like."

Who’s been your greatest inspiration?

"I appreciate Realism, Rembrandt, the Dutch Masters, Renaissance art, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci."

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

"Get into the computers. I think that more in this market, artists should know computer graphics for layering. They should know Adobe Photoshop. I think it’s important to be computer literate."

Do you utilize social networking?

"I have a Facebook page, which is used to showcase my work."