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local artist
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Capturing Moments Steven Quartly’s steady rise as an in-demand impressionist and painter by Jessica Holthaus Badour
That’s when we set up our first show, and it all began.” Reflecting on their long-standing relationship, Quartly says, “To be able to talk about these memories and still be showing with Gary’s gallery means a lot. I think Gary runs the best gallery, period. He’s thought of everything, down to the very smell of the gallery. He cares so much about the experience for people walking in. It’s done very well.” Throughout his career, Quartly has been represented by 15 galleries, half of which are in Florida, bringing him here frequently. After shows, he often stays in the area to paint outdoors. “Plein air painting is an essential part of being an artist,” he explains. “You’re out in the environment, and it’s more challenging. You can only paint in the morning or evening, so you can’t get a lot done. I like combining this with studio work for production.” His travels frequently inspire his paintings. “My family and I do a lot of hiking, and I draw a lot of inspiration from those experiences,” he says of time with Natalie and their four children. “In Rosemary Beach, people love not just the coastal scenes, but also the mountain and creek landscapes.” As the gallery owner at Curate, Handler has been honored to
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Artist Steven Quartly creates impressionistic oil paintings that capture the essence of sea, city and landscapes, appealing naturally to 30A’ers.
F rom his studio in Southern California, artist Steven Quartly creates impressionistic oil paintings that capture the essence of sea, city and landscapes, appealing naturally to 30A’ers. Quartly transforms a plain white canvas into a stunning Mediterranean seascape, a vibrant European city scene, or a warm California landscape. Quartly grew up in Novato, Cali., as the oldest of two children. His childhood was filled with happy memories of playing in the woods and hills near his home with his younger sister, Karyn. However, school was more challenging; as a child with dyslexia, he struggled academically but excelled in the arts, learning on a creative level. “Art was my success when everything else seemed to be falling apart,” Quartly reflects. “A teacher once told me, ‘You don’t have a disability – you have a gift. Let’s tap into that gift.’” At age 13, Quartly's parents enrolled him in an adult oil painting class. For the next five years, he honed his skills, learning traditional oil painting techniques alongside his older classmates. “It was me and six older women. They didn’t like having me there because I picked up the techniques quickly,” he says, laughing. “We focused on French Impressionists, learning by copying our favorites. It was a great learning tool. Once we mastered the basics – the rules, values and tones – we could paint anything we wanted. I continued these classes throughout high school.” After high school, Quartly attended Santa Barbara College for art courses and later earned a B.A. in Fine Art from Azusa Pacific University. “I wanted to pursue art full-time, and by God’s grace, I was surrounded by some folks who gave me a shot,” he recalls. “They had connections in the art world, and things
took off. Within a couple of years after graduation, I was in 15 galleries.” Looking back, Quartly acknowledges a business degree might have helped him navigate the business aspect of the art world, but his wife Natalie and his studio manager have
been instrumental in managing the business side. Today, Quartly has more than 80 published editions, many of which are sold as numbered, signed limited
represent Quartly: “Having seen the progression of his career and talent over the past 20 years, as well as the response from our collectors, has been an absolute joy,” he says. “Steve’s distinctive talent for merging
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Tom Fitzpatrick
Steve’s distinctive talent for merging traditional techniques with a contemporary flair and meaningful, current subject matter truly distinguishes his art. - Gary Handler, owner of Curate 30A
editions. Galleries that host him for shows also sell his original works. Recently, Quartly has been exploring new artistic directions. “During the pandemic, I started experimenting with oil on birch circles,” he explains. “Once the oil dried, I used a Dremel to cut into the paint, revealing the colors of the wood underneath, and then I signed them with the Dremel. This process led to my ‘medallion’ paintings.” Curate 30A was the first gallery to showcase these medallion paintings, and they’ve generated significant interest. While they won’t replace his core collection, they’re an exciting addition to his body of work. Quartly has also begun exploring abstract landscapes. Quartly met Curate 30A owner Gary Handler about 25 years ago at New York City’s Art Expo. “The expo was amazing; it really jump-started my career,” Quartly notes. “Gary walked up, gave me his business card, and bought most of the work in my booth.
traditional techniques with a contemporary flair and meaningful, current subject matter truly distinguishes his art. It’s evident our clientele feels a deep connection to him…the response from collectors has been outstanding with those who appreciate how his art transforms their spaces with its striking beauty and emotional depth.” Quartly recently completed a show at Curate 30A over the summer, but his work can be found there locally year-round.
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Steven Quartly at Curate 30A 72 Main St., Rosemary Beach 850-231-1808 Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 12-9 p.m.
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THE THIRTY-A REVIEW | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | 17
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