The art of Steven Lee Smeltzer

Steven Lee Smeltzer's artistic odyssey began in a ceramics class in his last year of college. He knew from the beginning that this was to be his life's work. His intention was to make pottery; but every time he would make a bowl or a cup, he would add a face to it. Eventually, he stopped making the bowls and the cups and concentrated on making the faces on his very distinctive creatures. An avid surfer, Steven was drawn to the island of Maui, Hawaii. Here he lived and worked for thirty years, drawing inspiration for his work from the lush, tropical lifestyle. His most unique marine-life characters evolved from his deep love and respect for the ocean, with his own peculiar twist. Steven makes no secret of the fact that his favorite artist was Dr. Seuss - no big surprise to his many collectors. Steven's sculpture are made of high-fire stoneware; the eyes from porcelain clay. After the pieces have dried, they are dipped or sprayed with an oxide stain, which is then partially wiped off before the firing process. The vibrant colors of his work are achieved by applying acrylic paint, followed by a light misting of clear acrylic.

See Steven Lee Smeltzer talk about his work
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Steven Lee Smeltzer - Slideshow

	1 of 15
Quack Ups
Clay Sculpture
$395 - 14" to 20" high by 9" wide
SS01W

	2 of 15
Smooch Group
Clay Sculpture
$395 - approx 9" x 10" | $595 - approx 10" x 13"
SS02W

	3 of 15
Stella Mayville
Clay Sculpture
$595 - approx. 16" x 10"
SS03W

	4 of 15
Twitters
Clay Sculpture
$395 - approx. 14" x 9"
SS04W

	5 of 15
Walt Rumple
Clay Sculpture
$595 - approx. 16" x 10"
SS05W

	6 of 15
Gecko
Clay Sculpture
$260 - approx. 16" long
SS06W

	7 of 15
Gecko
Clay Sculpture
$260 - approx. 16" long
SS07W

	8 of 15
The Optimist
Clay Sculpture
$695 - approx. 16" x 17"
SS08W

	9 of 15
Water Taxi
Clay Sculpture
$575 - approx. 14" x 8" x 13"
SS09W

	10 of 15
The Honeymooners
Clay Sculpture
$295 - approx. 7" x 9" | $595 - approx. 12" x 11"
SS10W

	11 of 15
Fish Fantastico - Large
Clay Sculpture
$395 - approx. 14" x 12"
SS11W

	12 of 15
Fish Fantastico - Medium, Small
Clay Sculpture
$295 - approx. 11" x 9" | $170 - approx. 8" x 5"
SS12W

	13 of 15
Mermaid on Water Ferry
Clay Sculpture
$595 - approx. 15" x 13"
SS13W

	14 of 15
Oops Fisherman
Clay Sculpture
$575 - approx. 15" x 10"
SS14W

	15 of 15
Male Golfer
Clay Sculpture
$595 - approx. 16" x 10"
SS15W