Last night, I had a fun evening attending an artist's reception for my dear friend Steve Loya at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, VA. Steve has been one of my best friends for nearly 25 years, and we met as freshmen at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania back in the Fall of 1991 as art education majors. Several years after moving to teach in Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, I convinced Steve to apply for a teaching position in Loudoun, and he was able to quickly find a job teaching art at one of Loudoun's many elementary schools.
I have really enjoyed watching Steve grow as an artist over the years. Like many art teachers, Steve got disconnected from his art the first few years of teaching, but he has since dedicated himself to getting back into his art. His series of Splotch Monsters is just one form that his art has taken, and he put many of them on display at Old Ox.
For the reception, Steve even brought some pre-made splotches and encouraged folks to add their own details to convert them into monsters. If you're in the Ashburn area, make certain to check out Steve's work. It will be hanging through May.
Congratulations, Steve!