March 19, 2019

Meet Sean Stepanoff

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Stepanoff.

Sean, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.

I’ve been living in L.A. twenty years now, and I always have involved myself with art. I started out self-publishing zines when I lived in San Francisco, working in pen and ink almost exclusively. I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco in 1998. After a couple years I got involved in animation and worked as a character designer for Eminem’s animated cartoon “The Slim Shady Show.”

After working in animation I started getting involved in the downtown monthly art happening Cannibal Flower. I was painting two, three paintings a month, going to the party and getting exposure. I was meeting other artists and seeing how they worked and lived. I began to show yearly at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Feliz as part of their juried group show.

In 2014, I was working at WACKO and we got in about a dozen African barbershop signs. They were amazing. I was asked to make a sign to sell them, so I just drew some of my fellow employees as the style models in that recognizable style. It caught the eye of the gallery and I had a show with five of them at La Luz and they went over very well. I’ve been painting these signs steadily ever since.

Just recently, I showed at SCOPE Miami Beach and LA Art Show with the great Red Truck Gallery in New Orleans. I was also part of their Mardi Gras exhibition “Carnaval D’Ames” and will have new work there soon. Hey! Magazine in France featured my work in an 8 page article.
Painting has turned into a full-time job now.

Has it been a smooth road?

Being an artist for me has not been an easy path. Submitting to galleries and dealing with rejection can be tough. Getting a thick skin and not taking it personally has been a big lesson for me.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.

I love walking around the Silverlake hills to clear out my head.

I’m also a big collector. I love records, vintage clothing, underground comics searching through thrift stores.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?

Los Angeles is an amazing cultural hub, always inspirational. I’ve been living here for twenty years, and I’m still discovering amazing art, food, and neighborhoods. On the other hand, living around so many people can tax your patience at times. It’s a balance.

Contact Info:

Website: stepanoff.tumblr.com
Email: stepanoff73@gmail.com
Instagram: sean.stepanoff

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.