Steve McCarthy’s Early Inspiration
Steve McCarthy’s art is rooted in a blend of childhood wonder and cultural tradition. From the fantastical worlds of Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak to the bold lines of comic illustrators like John Byrne, his early influences shaped a love of storytelling through imagery.
Over time, ancestral crafts, surrealist masters, and contemporary artists such as Banksy and Kehinde Wiley deepened his style, blending whimsy, pattern, and portraiture into a distinctive visual voice.
The Discovery
McCarthy developed his signature Chromakinesis technique while teaching high school art, layering oil pastel beneath paint and carving through the surface to reveal vibrant colors and hidden patterns. The result is bold, stylized imagery that feels both deliberate and unexpected.
First dubbed “The McCarthy Method” by a reporter at a North Carolina exhibition, the process has since become a defining element of his work—offering collectors a truly distinctive and recognizable style.
A Unique Technique
Steve McCarthy’s signature technique, known as Chromakinesis, layers oil pastel beneath latex, acrylic, or enamel paint. He then carves into the surface with a knife, revealing hidden colors and unexpected patterns.
This process creates vibrant, textured imagery where bold shapes meet subtle detail—giving each work a sense of depth, discovery, and originality that sets it apart for collectors.
From Gallery Walls to Private Collections
Steve McCarthy’s work has been featured in exhibitions and galleries, but its true impact is seen in the hands of collectors who bring his pieces into their homes and galleries.
Each painting embodies a distinctive process and voice, making it not just a work of art but a statement of originality and vision. For collectors, owning a McCarthy piece means investing in a technique and style that is both celebrated and unmistakably unique.
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