www.sfmcdermottart.com

S.F. McDermott

Art Education: School of Visual Arts, The New York Art Institute, Glassell School of Contemporary Art

Originally from Houston, Texas, I moved to New York City at a young age to pursue an acting career. The city was a great adventure and opened my eyes to the many cultures, lifestyles & vices available to an individual. At first I worked as a Ford Model and soon found myself in the exciting world of acting, landing several lead roles in both television and movies. When I was not working I spent much of my time traveling. I lived in Seville, Spain for six months and traveled throughout Europe and into Africa on numerous trips. I also enjoyed a six month adventure driving and camping throughout America where I discovered the shocking beauty of Americas West Coast. I settled in California, where I picked up surfing and started to experiment with paint. After two years in Los Angeles, unable to find consistent work as an actor and frustrated, I decided it was time for a change. In January of 2001 I quit acting for good and moved back to New York City where I found work as a bartender and spent all my free time painting and studying art.

Yearning to be close to water with the ability to continue surfing and looking for a cheaper place to paint. I moved to Galveston Texas in 2003. I decided that Galveston would be a good fit for both activities. In 2004, I bought a historic house (built in 1856) that sits in the center of Galveston's East End Historic District to use as a studio. During renovations the house collapsed. The construction company responsible for the collapse was not adequately insured and filed for bankruptcy. Always dreaming of building my own home and wary of local contractors, I bought a nail gun, pulled the permits and re-built the house myself. To pay for this I started working as a realtor on Galveston's West End selling Beachfront and Waterfront properties.

In September 2008, Hurricane "IKE" hit Galveston Island. The East End Historic district was hit especially hard flooding my home and art studio. The storm devastated the island, killing almost all the islands great oak trees. Galveston is still recovering from IKE but the island is looking better every day. My studio and home are now repaired and better than ever; I am selling real estate again and currently working on my 2010 show. In Dec 2009 I proposed to my long time girlfriend, Laura Hughes; we plan to be married next year in Galveston.

I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone that has written me since I built this website. If I have not written you back, it is just because I have been very busy painting and at the same time trying to make a living. I also wanted to thank everyone that has bought a painting or a print from me this year. Every piece I sell gives me more time to spend on my artwork. Thank you again. I do read every email so keep them coming... Shane McDermott