Steve Wolfrom, Artist, Painter

08/28/2026

Spires Gallery in Niceville across from McAllister‘s is doing some rearranging and freshening up the space with their own take on a fine arts, boutique and gift shop. My display has been moved to a new location so that you have easy access to both sides of the structure. Previously, one of the sides faced the window, which was nice for exposure, but reaching the paintings wasn’t so easy! If you’re looking for unique gifts, stop by Spire’s Gallery! 

08/28/2026

When art is a hobby, and you’re often busy with other things, it’s good to step back once in a while and take a retrospective. After my painting experience this past Wednesday morning with Emerald Coast Plein Air Artists group, I thought, “It’s time for me to give up watercolors.”

Today, it was time to tidy up my little studio, and I got out my watercolor sketchbook to take a look at what I’ve been working on. Part of the reason was because I plan to have a few plein air paintings at the Mattie Kelly Festival of Arts in Destin at the end of October. 

What I found were hits and misses.  And some right in the middle. I reflected that this was kind of like golf, especially my game. You take your shot, don’t worry too much if it slices right, and try to correct it the next time! But you do keep coming back because every once in a while you hit a great one!

Here’s a few of my plein air watercolor works since March. Each is labeled.

08/06/2026

My earliest lessons by following projects in this artist’s books. He is no longer living but you can buy his videos to follow along on projects. You really learn a lot about paint mixing brush techniques etc. 

08/01/2026

Submit a photo of your original artwork based on the concept of 'Spires'. Enter for a chance to be featured in our newly rebranded Spires Gallery.

07/17/2026

Got to get in there!

Its still his favorite

07/14/2026

This plein air painting from Turkey Creek Nature Walk sold this week. It’s oil, 8x10, and one of my best from this Niceville landmark stroll. Artful Things Niceville set that gentleman who purchased it frequently walks at the park, so he had a definite connection with the scenery. 

07/02/2026

Taking five paintings to Artful Things Niceville as I rework my display and place some work in Cafe Bienville and the county administration building in Shalimar for a September show. All pieces are $90 or less.

After working in watercolors for several months, it’s been good to develop more experience with oils. I think I am starting to move back and forth between media without stumbling too much 😂.

05/29/2026

I spent a day at the Forgotten Coast Plein Air Festival in Apalachicola, Florida, earlier this year. I had a chance to paint for two hours with a professional artist from Naples, Florida, Betty Wentworth. It took me a while to finish this, but I’m very pleased with the results so far.

05/10/2026

I’m just about done with this painting for the upcoming show called Bajou Bliss at Arts & Design Society of FWB - Community Page. It’s inspired by a little retreat on a tiny bayou that is off Rocky Bayou in Niceville. It is acrylic on recycled pallet wood.  The rough, grainy surface lends itself well too rustic scenes.

 I have a moon lit bayou partially done, and I’m hoping to share that with you next week.

The show is open May 19 – June 20.  The free gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 PM, and Saturday, 1 PM to 4 PM.  I expect this to be a huge show because so many artists in the region love to paint bayous!

04/23/2026

I paint with a group of artists who enjoy plein air painting. You can look us up on Facebook at Emerald Coast Plein Air Painters Group. Basically this involves painting in the open air. You go on site, try to capture a scene as you see it, and maybe make a few adjustments at home.

This past Wednesday we painted in Niceville and here is a before and after series. The scene gets locked in, we start laying in some more detail colors and then make more adjustments, getting close to the end. These three photographs depict each of these stages. Still more to do because the grass is on the left as well as the grasses in the ground are not quite right yet.

This is an 8 x 10 oil painting of the back end of Bogey Bayou where Turkey Creek feeds the bay.