Steve Curtiss’ work offers simple scenes that evoke both humor and deeper thought. A cat stands at the edge of a stream with a lion reflected in it. A traditional still-life of a fruit bowl shares space with a side of fries.
“The paintings are playful with different layers of meaning interwoven,” Curtiss described. “I hope they provide a little enjoyment, ask a few questions and encourage a creative point of view.”
The Los Altos resident’s art will be on display throughout the month of April at Gallery 9 in downtown Los Altos. The exhibition, “A Different View,” will feature 18 of his funny and thought-provoking works.
“I like to get some things that are paradoxical when they’re together,” Curtiss said. “I like animals and I like landscape. That’s where it came from.”
The retired engineer studied painting for 10 years with Alfredo D’Annunzio, a well-known painting instructor.
“I’ve always worked in oil paint and really enjoy the depth and richness that it brings to an image,” Curtiss said. “I do a lot of sketching in nature, and combine that with visual material from my imagination and other sources to produce images that are then drawn, re-drawn and painted using traditional art techniques.”
You could say Curtiss appreciates the little things in life.
“I’m in north Los Altos,” he said. “I see simple little things you’d walk past. I look at them and get involved.”
He described one piece featuring two stepping stones together. “But the light was on them and they looked nice,” Curtiss said.
A reception for the artist is scheduled 5:30-8 p.m. April 4 at Gallery 9, 143 Main St., Los Altos. For more information, visit stevecurtiss.com.
