Steven Kennedy is a painter in the “plein air” tradition of working directly from life outdoors. He refers to his style as a “painterly realism,” painting with bright colors and strong shapes, yet primarily with the intent of conveying the “emotional impact of a scene, as when one sees it for the first time.” Steven claims, “I am trying to get the essence of the tree.... My appeal is more to the heart than the head.” Given his intense character and knowledge of fine art, it comes as no surprise that he received a grant from the Art Project, to put his talents to work for adults with mental retardation, in 1993.
Steven chooses the subjects of his paintings with a definite partiality toward the charisma of the older and more time worn: an old mansard roof, a rusty-hulled fishing boat, a quiet beach at the invigorating moment of a sunset. Though he credits Edward Hopper, John Carlson, and Emile Gruppe as his artistic mentors, his formal education led him to the Paler School of Art, where he received his B.A. in 1980.
Steven’s work adorns the walls of many public and private collections, including the permanent collection of the New Haven Paint and Clay Club, Albany Institute of History and Art, Key Bank, and People’s Heritage Bank (both of Maine). Like so many other talented artists, Steven and his wife Lucy have called Cape Cod home for over twenty years.

Represented at Commercial Street: 508.349.9451