The Desert Visions of Steve Hastings

In the sun-drenched borderlands of El Paso, Texas, artist Steve Hastings creates paintings that blur the line between reality and dreams, transforming the Chihuahuan desert's flora into portals of spiritual contemplation. His work, deeply rooted in the American Southwest yet transcending literal representation, speaks to both the tangible and intangible aspects of nature.

Born in Munich, Germany, Hastings' artistic journey led him to settle in El Paso, where he studied art at the University of Texas. A pivotal moment in his artistic development came during the 1970s when he visited Santa Fe and encountered Georgia O'Keeffe's work. The experience left an indelible mark on his artistic vision, inspiring Hastings to explore the desert's hidden dimensions through his own unique lens.

"Cezanne said what he was trying to paint was nature's eternity, and I think that what we really are is not known to us, it's like behind us," Hastings reflects. This perspective forms the foundation of his approach to painting, where desert flowers and cacti become more than mere subjects—they transform into vehicles for deeper exploration.

Hastings works primarily with large-scale canvases, creating landscape paintings that incorporate elements of magical realism. His focus on cactus plants, particularly their blossoms, reflects an appreciation for these desert survivors. As guardians of life in an unforgiving environment, cacti embody the delicate balance between protection and nurture, their water-storing bodies defended by sharp spines.

The artistic process, for Hastings, transcends conscious control. "When I paint things I know I did it but I don't always remember how I did it," he explains. "It tells me how to mix the colors. I don't write it down. They are like happenings, they happen to me." This surrender to the creative process allows him to enter a state of flow where the ego dissolves, making room for something larger to emerge.

His reference to "IT"—his term for God or the Universe—reveals the spiritual dimension of his work. "I say It because God is not a man or a woman, it's formless, and the universe is inside it," Hastings explains. This cosmic perspective influences how he approaches his subjects, transforming seemingly straightforward botanical studies into something more profound.

Magical Realism aptly describes the way Hastings melds everyday desert scenes with elements of the extraordinary. A cactus might appear recognizable at first glance, but closer inspection reveals subtle distortions and combinations that speak to deeper truths. His paintings become windows into what he calls "nature's eternity," where familiar forms dissolve into dream-like configurations.

In our increasingly digital world, Hastings sees his artistic practice as a vital connection to something fundamentally human. Creating art remains one of the few activities where he can engage directly with beauty using imagination and physical craft. Hastings' hands-on approach to painting stands as a counterpoint to our technology-driven society, offering viewers a chance to connect with something both ancient and immediate.

The influence of European masters, absorbed during his early years in Munich, merges with his love for the American Southwest in his work. This unique fusion of artistic traditions allows Hastings to channel what he calls "the Zeitgeist of my mentors" into his interpretations of desert landscapes, creating works that feel both timeless and contemporary.

For Hastings, the creative process parallels spiritual experience. "When I flow it turns off the default mode network which is the ego," he says. "It's like making love, you're ego goes away and you two become one thing, and then you come back. The essence is watching. If you let the love out you'll be amazed."

His paintings invite viewers to share in this transcendent experience, offering glimpses of what lies beyond ordinary perception. Through his unique vision, the Chihuahuan desert becomes more than a geographical location—it transforms into a landscape of possibility where the physical and spiritual worlds intersect.

Each painting begins with nature but evolves into something more personal. "Even though it's a cactus and a scene it's more like a portrait. I guess I'm painting myself," Hastings reflects. "I'm just doing the work, but IT tells me what to do." This approach results in works that function simultaneously as landscape paintings and spiritual self-portraits, each piece revealing both the external world and the artist's inner vision.