“What’s your sign?” A pivotal point of introduction, according to Steve Wagner. As an artist and avid astrologer, Steve is fully immersed in the mannerisms of the universe and its significance here on earth—in life and in art. The beauty of astrology, as Steve explains, is that in the understanding of the transits and progressions of celestial bodies, there is guidance for the inner being. Seasonally, the transits can bring shadow to the light and encourage self examination. As it applies to his other passion, Steve seeks to understand and utilize the interplanetary movements to keep him focused and more attuned to his art. As his understanding of self and the celestial world evolves, so his art reflects his spiritual journey.

“What’s your sign?” A pivotal point of introduction, according to Steve Wagner. As an artist and avid astrologer, Steve is fully immersed in the mannerisms of the universe and its significance here on earth—in life and in art.

The beauty of astrology, as Steve explains, is that in the understanding of the transits and progressions of celestial bodies, there is guidance for the inner being. Seasonally, the transits can bring shadow to the light and encourage self examination. As it applies to his other passion, Steve seeks to understand and utilize the interplanetary movements to keep him focused and more attuned to his art. As his understanding of self and the celestial world evolves, so his art reflects his spiritual journey.

“as his understanding of self and the celestial world evolves, so his art reflects his spiritual journey.”

Steve speaks often of luck and gratitude for his life experiences, but perhaps it was something even beyond luck that has guided him thus far. Raised in Newnan, Georgia, Steve studied graphic design at the University of Georgia before moving on to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in visual design. As a young man, he backpacked throughout Europe, eventually working on a charter boat in Cannes, France.

On one such trip off the coast of Sardinia, everyone aboard the vessel had eaten a delicious meal and was taking their daily siesta. As he tells it, “I was on board alone up top and no one, not even the captain and his wife, were anywhere to be found. Suddenly, surrounding the boat, dolphins jumped straight up out of the water. In that moment, I thought, ‘this must mean something for me.’ Like they were trying to tell me something.” Maybe that’s the connection to Leda.”

Leda—Steve’s take on a mythical mermaid rising from waves of yaupon holly—can be found in Alys Beach’s Arboleda Park. Crafted of cast stone, Leda makes a striking figurehead. With hand-carved scales in her hair, Steve’s Leda can be appreciated by all who visit Alys Beach.

“I love the idea of her being a moon goddess mermaid, and she is particularly beautiful captured under the light of the full moon,” he explains. It’s evident that Steve’s work is both intentional and intuitive, enhanced by the forces within and upon it and attuned to its surroundings.

“Alys Beach is such a statement,” he says. “When you go into Alys Beach, you could be anywhere in the world. At the highest level, it’s really well done.” He feels gratitude to be able to have his work enhance the nature that surrounds the community. “Anytime you walk through an environment and have something that catches your attention, connects with you and moves you to remember yourself, it makes you want to be in that place. To be confronted with art out in the world where you’re not seeking it out and it’s right in front of you to take in is such a lucky thing.”

While Steve has spent years creating sculptural works of art, his focus these days lies in painting. As he explains, “I’ve been more into an intuitive kind of place, especially with my painting. I’m trying to really get to the depths of my being in the context of what comes out in my painting. It’s much harder to pull something from the depth of your soul and do an abstract piece. I’ve been pushing in that direction and will continue to do that.”

Directionally, Steve has been utilizing cold wax mixed with his traditional oils to create what he calls ghost paintings. This process allows the underpainting to show though as a specter of his current work. It’s in this abstract that he feels he is connecting best with his creative consciousness.

“It’s not anything you can touch; what’s in between is where creative consciousness lives and I’m just trying to swing through a little bit of that.”

“I believe that is where the creative consciousness dwells. It’s in the void, it’s in the space between galaxies. It’s not anything you can touch; what’s in between is where creative consciousness lives and I’m just trying to swing through a little bit of that.”

During his time of reflection, Steve has really focused on self-acceptance. He says, “The thing that has changed me most in the last year or so is the idea of becoming a friend to myself and to understand that you must be present for yourself before you can be present anywhere else. I was never brought up with that idea and it’s really affected how I respond to people and to things. I’m trying to keep things calm and easy because that’s the way I am, really—even though Mars is in conjunction in my midheaven right now.”