Steve Preleski

Steve Preleski is an artist and weaver living and working in Venice Florida. He primarily makes hand woven painted pine needle baskets, wall hangings, sculptures and paintings. He also occasionally enjoys hand building pottery.

Steve attended Ringling College of Art and Design where he received a certificate in Fine Art from its Continuing Education Division. He also studied at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. He is a former Board member and President of the Venice Art Centre. He learned the art of painted pine needle baskets from Elizabeth Whyte Schulze and studies painting with Joanna Coke.

His works are inspired primarily by his travels through the United States with an emphasis on the American Southwest. He also has a particular interest in Route 66 iconography which is reflected in many of his paintings.

Additional inquiries regarding the purchase or dimensions of Steve’s work may be made through this website. Whether or not you are in the market to acquire art, Steve would love to hear from you.

Painted Pine Needle Baskets

Each basket is hand woven by Steve using either a tapestry or four inch upholstery needle. The core of the basket is composed of long leaf pine needles and the binder is either raffia or waxed linen. Several baskets have a core of the knotted white cord from Frangelico bottles. These pieces are finished at the rim with pine needles.

Once the weaving process is complete some of the baskets are then covered with decorative art paper using matte medium. Other baskets are left without the paper cover so that the natural fiber of the basket can be seen through the paint. These baskets are first painted with a layer of gesso in order to prepare the surface, the design is then hand painted on the basket using acrylic paint. At least three to four layers of paint are usually required as the surface of the baskets is usually rough. After a thorough drying either varnish or shellac is applied to protect the outside surface. 

Pine Needle Wall Hangings

Each piece is woven with raffia and a minimal design is painted in order that the natural weave is prominently displayed. Some of the pieces also have a design on the opposite side and can be displayed on a stand so that both sides are visible.

Bases

Each piece comes with the base pictured in the photograph. Many of the bases are items found by Steve and re-purposed to match a particular basket. The natural wood bases are from a mesquite lumber yard in Arizona, hand selected and finished by Steve.

Baskets and wall hangings will be best preserved if kept indoors and out of direct sunlight. 

Pottery 

Steve's penchant for hand building is the direct result of his total inability to master the potter’s wheel. Any time he tries to make anything on the wheel he would get clay all over the walls, the floor, and his fellow students. His instructor soon suggested he try hand building and his classmates concurred. Instead of glazing he paints his pottery with acrylic paint. This allows his to make more detailed and gives greater control over the finished product. The bases for his pottery are often re-purposed items he gets at various thrift stores.