Steven Kenny is a St. Petersburg, Florida artist whose work is an interesting mash-up of classic 17th century portraiture and surrealistic dreamscapes. His subjects are invariably surrounded by animals or other aspects of the natural realm, especially flora and birds. In fact, a symbiotic connection to the natural world is a major focus of his work; indeed, many of his subjects appear as if they one with the earth, not born but sprouted fully-realized from terra firma.
“My paintings most often focus on the human figure paired with elements found in nature,” he said. “These surreal, symbolic juxtapositions are intended to work on at least two levels. The first alludes to the fact that we are an integral part of the natural world and subject to its laws. This seems like an obvious statement until we step back and objectively assess our symbiotic relationship with each other and the Earth. Depending on your perspective, these relationships fall somewhere on the scale between harmonious and dysfunctional.”
Just in time for Earth Week, here’s the spiritual, thought-provoking and earth-conscious work of Steven Kenny.
Stephen Kelly Creative 
I really like these works a lot! The juncture of human life and natural life is magical and even when the pictures are a little weird, they call to something highly imaginative in us, I think, which wants to see us as a part of our surroundings rather than as separate and alone.
Hi Victoria! I agree … its that interaction being human and nature that I find really fascinating about his work. You’re correct: highly imaginative!
Stephen, thank you for introducing us to the most interesting artists every week. I liked the Water Shawl and the Rain Gown the most.
You’re welcome, Allan. He’s a recent discovery, and I really connected with his love of nature. Very interesting stuff!
Each and every one is fantastic. Incredible artist.
Glad you liked this interesting art, Angeline. Check out his website to see even more. This gallery is but a small representation of his catalogue.
Strangely hypnotic and fascinating! What an amazing juxtaposition of nature and the human form!
Hi Patti! Hypnotic is a good word … each of these is deeply interesting and worthy of further inspection. Like the work at the top of this post: there’s so much going on there, but it’s not overwhelming or confusing. Great stuff!
I love this so much, Stephen. The featured image is mind-blowing. Little by little I will see all the posts that I have missed while away (my schedule is still too dense). I hope San Francisco is not too hot yet?
Cool! I’m really glad you connected so fervently with his work. He’s a recent discovery and I just had to share. I love his reverence for nature and the earth.
We’re in our spring here in SF, so it’s sunny, pleasant if windy days. Funny, what with climate change, the spring here in SF doesn’t feel much different from the winter.
🙂 If I could chose to have one season only it would be late Summer/early Autumn all year round the way it is over here.
The very best months to visit SF, weatherwise, is September and October: warm, sunny days, cool pleasant nights and NO FOG … wish it was like that all year round!!! Ironically, June, July and early August are very foggy, windy and chilly. It’s like that famous Mark Twain quote: “The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco.”
😆
I would like so much to link this post to my Thursday’s Special 🙂 with your permission of course.
Hi Paula … I’d be honored!
Thank you, Stephen 🙂
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Amazing art works! Thank you, Stephen!
You’re welcome, Amy. I’m really glad people are connecting with the human/nature aspect of his work.
Such clever work, Stephen. Thank you for sharing Steven’s art.
that’s a lot of Stephen/Steven’s (just for the record, the ‘ph’ stephen is the only acceptable form, especially if you’re irish catholic).
you’re welcome!
This reminds me about an artist you introduced .. a couple of months ago – who had that magical painting with a lady on sofa or do I mix them up. Very bold .. and very close to nature, but still there isn’t one of his piece that I would say WOW for. Maybe the one with the child is holding the “light”.
Yes, I remember that artist, although that work was a little more sinister than this. i like the human/nature connection seen here. i also like how quirky it is.
Quirky – is the right world .. and even if it’s about the human relationship to nature, it doesn’t talk to me as such.
Earth mother; beautiful 🙂