Steve Renzi

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware in a blue-collar family. We didn’t sit around the drawing room, drinking tea in porcelain cups and have vigorous art critiques very much, especially when professional wrestling came on television featuring a cage match between Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino. When I was younger, I considered that type of upbringing a weakness, especially in the Art world. Now I realize it is the source of my greatest strength. I can talk to and relate to everyone; from a disabled veteran living under a bridge to a corporate CEO flying in her own private jet. Everyone has a story to tell.

Tell us about your family

I come from a family of five children and two parents. Father was a city-raised Italian boy who worked as a bricklayer his entire life. Hard work. My mother was a red-haired country girl, English and Scottish heritage, raised on a farm who successfully parented five children. Kind-hearted. On the outside they appeared simple and unassuming, but inside they were as complex as anyone.

I have identical twin sons named John and David. They have grown up to be successful and wonderful men. Best thing that ever happened to me.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

Have always been an animal lover, especially dogs. Presently, don’t have any pets but that could change tomorrow.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

In third grade, Mrs. DeAngelo assigned us to write something during third period. I guess I got into it because when the period ended she asked me to stand up and read what I had written down. I wouldn’t have volunteered for this in a million years. I was very shy.

So I stood up and read what was on my paper. Half-way thru reading, I dared to look up for a micro-second to see what everyone else was doing. They were all paying attention and looked interested in what I was reading. I looked down and finished reading then I sat down. My teacher said that was a good story. Thanks Mrs. DeAngelo.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Words and photographs.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

Actually, there is no separation point where art ends and real life begins. It’s all smooshed together like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The next discovery could be just around the corner. For example, one time while trying to find a roof leak in a house I lived in, I discovered an old autograph book tucked away in a box in the corner of the attic. Inside the book where many signatures of well-known African American entertainers during the 1940s. Autographs inside the book were Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and others. Included in the book was an autograph from a man named Herb Jeffries. Who was Herb Jeffries?

Turns out, Herb Jeffries was the one and only Black singing cowboy who appeared in five western films made in the late 1930s and early 1940s. From there, I went down the rabbit hole learning about Mr. Jeffries, African American films, Black cowboys and the story of Western migration from an African American perspective. It was so interesting and fun to learn about. Everything was new to me. I have turned that knowledge into several magazine articles and numerous public speaking presentations for the Arizona Humanities throughout the state.