Artist Statement
The art world has a way of bringing in new talent from unexpected places. Steve Fretwell is a new creative talent that appeared out of the downtown office towers of Toronto in 2019.
Fretwell, based in Canada, creates eclectic and inspiring depictions of the courage and bravery of WWII allied airmen through his abstract landscape painting. With hope and memory serving as the driving themes in his work, Fretwell uses his art to remind of past sacrifices that welcome the viewer to consider ideas about courage and commitment through his creation of striking and optimistic landscapes in his “From Above Collection”.
Fretwell was born in Canada spending his early years in Nova Scotia and Ottawa. However, it was not until later in his life that his ardor for art led him towards his newfound vocation. Fretwell's resolute determination to be an artist isn't confined to a lineage of creativity within his family, instead, his pursuit is marked by a far more personal effort to weave important stories into gallant and dynamic images. His work is an echo of the hope, courage, and bravery of a soon to be lost generation.
His purpose lies in muse drawn from military history narrated through his artwork; he is intrigued by the perpetuating conflict between duty, honor, and bravery, versus the fear of combat.
Steve’s creative process begins with a sliver of an idea that is extrapolated from various sources such as historical images, film clips, book phrases, or quotes by service personnel. Each concept is explored through trial and error as he creates a series of dynamic, impasto-styled small-scale studies. As a studies scale increases changes are made to its geometry, color, and texture as the interplay between his intent and the paintings reaction are revealed on the larger canvas. Once the essence of his idea is revealed, his collaboration between acting and listening to the voice of the painting becomes mirrored onto his canvas; it is an infinite loop of unencumbered creativity.
Fretwell's powerful use of color and his application of paint in thick layers using trowels and masons' tools creates maximum texture that pulls the viewer towards the image. Multiple, repeating geometric forms coupled with intense combinations of color gives his work a powerful three-dimensional quality. He equates his work to a memory of a glimpse of landscape as seen from above and the magical way those fleeting images become memories that last a lifetime.
One of his most noteworthy projects includes the “From Above Collection” of paintings, which has earned him accolades for its dramatic, valiant, and inspirational aesthetics. His work maintains a uniqueness, continuously resonating with viewers through the interplay between a paintings story and Fretwell's interpretation of an unforgettable image as seen from above. Steve’s pursuit of creating abstract artwork speaks volumes about his values and beliefs and is reflected in his mission to enhance a remembrance and appreciation of the sacrifices made by air services personnel during the WWII.
He released his first coffee table book titled " Finding Peace" in the spring of 2024 that details his journey from how a corporate executive with no art background or training developed his unique style and creative process over the course of his first two years of painting.
Steve's work is rapidly becoming a part of the collections of discerning collectors and continues to receive numerous praises for its unique, dramatic, pleasing, and bold qualities.
He remains committed to utilizing art as a tool for social remembrance, believing that Art's role in the collective memory of a society is both significant and powerful.
— Steve Fretwell
