Retrospective
Everything on the walls behind the kid is work that I did either in grade school or high school. Yes, I still have EVERYTHING that I did back then. It’s taking over every nook and cranny in my house, much to the chagrin of my loving wife.
What can I say, I’m sort of a pack rat.
Do I really need the cartoons I scribbled on my math homework when I was eight? No.
Am I going to keep it anyway? You better believe it.
Retrospective belongs to the following groups:
Art and Stories Made For Children, Cards: Best of Your Best, Fine Arts, Happy Haven and Self PortraitAvailable for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

TeriLee, 3 months ago
This is awesome….those scribbled on papers will be worth a fortune when you become famous :)
Jan Landers, 3 months ago
oh how very cool, steven…..love it! :-)
Jen Cannella, 3 months ago
What an amazing job you’ve done…I love that you saved your old work and included it here!
Leslie Patton, 3 months ago
Great stuff, love the colors and detail. I like that you show your old work in this piece! Great combination!
vonne, 3 months ago
Instant Fav!
gypsycaster, 3 months ago
LOL!! I dig the Sistine Chapel look to it!
As usual, your colours really pop and the datail is amazing!
And wives might complain….but we’re secretly really proud and a bit amused.
(being a wife, I feel I have some perspective on this….)
CATNIPMEOW, 3 months ago
This is soooo cool ! The buidling reminds me of Mr.Magoriums Magic Emporium !
Have you seen it ? Since I have a 4 year old I have seen them all…....
darkestartist, 3 months ago
interesting concept, great illustration. love the bandages, you must have been a real hellraiser lol
Cherie Dirksen, 3 months ago
Another great artwork!
cheetaah, 3 months ago
For me this is #1…........it’s one of a kind, Great art.
Steven Novak in reply to TeriLee’s comment, 3 months ago
Either that or they’ll get chucked in the garbage after my landlord finds me dead in my one bedroom apartment at the ripe old age of seventy-six. Ohhh…that was depressing. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Jan Landers’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks Jan, much appreciated.
Steven Novak in reply to Jen Cannella’s comment, 3 months ago
This was just an excuse to convince my wife that there was a “reason” I was saving it. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Leslie Patton’s comment, 3 months ago
Thank you much Leslie! It’s about time I used it for something. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to vonne’s comment, 3 months ago
THANKS!
Steven Novak in reply to gypsycaster’s comment, 3 months ago
She may be secretly proud, but amused? Eh…she could be using that closet for shoes. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to CATNIPMEOW’s comment, 3 months ago
I have in fact seen that movie, yes. I don’t have a 4 year old, but I do have the sensibilities of one. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to darkestartist’s comment, 3 months ago
I was…something. ;) Thanks!
Steven Novak in reply to Cherie Dirksen’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks Cherie!
Steven Novak in reply to cheetaah’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks Cheetaah!
traceyanne, 3 months ago
fabulous work…he looks like a young time lord…....
TeriLee, 3 months ago
Yeah…..quite sad….but…imagine…your landlord will find all your wonderful art…then you will be famous….and your landlord will be rich for finding such a treasure of art…lol…see…there is always a silver lining…ha!!
gypsycaster, 3 months ago
Oh no!! Not shoes!!!!
apjenkins, 3 months ago
wonderful work just love all that fab detail and don’t let anyone throw it away love your style, definately think you’re the Bees Knees.
Cvail73, 3 months ago
“Do I really need the cartoons I scribbled on my math homework when I was eight? No.”
Oh yesss we’d like to see them :))))
I keep everything too, not very Feng Shui but hey! ;)
Brian Towers, 3 months ago
Treasure your early work Steven, those pieces are always worth keeping for many reasons, nolt least for the high standard of you work.. This is a delightful piece.
hikickry, 3 months ago
this is class :) keeping hold of things isn’t as strange as you mite think, i collect anything that appeals to me from a design point of view – its the creative thing to do lol
elisab, 3 months ago
You must be a true artist, saving all that work. I was a pack rat, but I have reformed.
Shanina Conway, 3 months ago
This is wonderful Steven, such a cute kid and great comp…. and I’m glad to learn you’ve kept all your work…tell your wife they’re your pension plan;)
pinkyjain, 3 months ago
Wow, whoa, this is totally awwwesome, wow, your detail your imagniation 10000% masterpiece. Glad you kept everything
sweetscent62, 3 months ago
Hahahaha.. this is just awesome Steven : ) I can totally relate! I’ve kept all both my daughters artworks since birth! We’re ok…......we just need bigger houses ; ) Wen x
Chanel2, 3 months ago
This is fantastic. Gloriously colourful and no, you could never throw out those masterpieces :)
clarkey, 3 months ago
Andy why shouldn’t you keep yor old stuff? It allows you to see how you have evolved and it may very well provide inspiration for today’s work, too. At some point, you might also be able to use several pieces to make a new train of thought. Enjoy them, Steven. From one pack rat to another: Your wife has my sympathies, though.
I love the way you have assembled those old pieces of art in this image – the colours are wonderful. I also love the battered and baged up teen – he’s been through ‘the wars and come out the other side wiser and more determined, with a slight wry smile, as if to say, “See, you can’t beat me!”
Michelle Boyer, 3 months ago
Great work
Karin Taylor, 3 months ago
i love this Steven, the details are wonderful :)
Charlotte Ottilo, 3 months ago
And is that a self portrait of you Steven!..LOL I’m sure your wife is so much more proud of you then frustrated with such a “pack rat”..lol Amazing work
Steven Novak in reply to traceyanne’s comment, 3 months ago
Young time lord, huh? I have no idea what that means, but I kind of dig it. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to apjenkins’s comment, 3 months ago
No worries the chances of me letting my wife get rid of it are zero. She knew who I was when she married me. ;)
traceyanne, 3 months ago
have you heard of Dr.Who?
Steven Novak in reply to Cvail73’s comment, 3 months ago
Maybe I’ll dig some of the really old stuff of mothballs and post it in here sometime. Might be good for a laugh. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Brian Towers’s comment, 3 months ago
Thank you Brian. Much appreciated. And don’t worry, the old stuff isn’t going anywhere. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to hikickry’s comment, 3 months ago
I used to keep a journal with anything I thought was cool pasted into it as well. I stopped some time ago. Hmmm…I wonder where I put that thing.
Steven Novak in reply to elisab’s comment, 3 months ago
Good for you! Chances of me reforming though are…ummm…well, lets just say, slim. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Shanina Conway’s comment, 3 months ago
I already used that line on all of other crap I’ve collected over the years. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 3 months ago
10000%!? That’s pretty damn good. ;) Thanks Pinky!
Steven Novak in reply to sweetscent62’s comment, 3 months ago
Bigger houses or less annoying spouses. (Hey, that rhymed!) ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Chanel2’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks! And don’t worry, despite my wifes complaints, the old stuff isn’t going anywhere. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to clarkey’s comment, 3 months ago
Pack rats unite! ;) Thanks Clarkey.
Steven Novak in reply to Michelle Boyer’s comment, 3 months ago
Thanks Michelle!
Steven Novak in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 3 months ago
Thank you much Karin.
Steven Novak in reply to Charlotte Ottilo’s comment, 3 months ago
It very much is a self-portrait, yes and due to all of my hoarding and collecting much of my house is starting to as busy and cluttered as it. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to traceyanne’s comment, 3 months ago
I know of the existence of Dr. WHo, but I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever seen an episode. (I know…it makes me a bad, bad nerd) ;)
traceyanne, 3 months ago
ooooooooooooooooooo, naughty naughty,.and who care’s….your work is just the biz..lord or no LORD…
Cvail73, 3 months ago
You should, I have no doubt it would be successful :)
Paul Compton, 3 months ago
Wow! It’s like a retrospective. (Is that a picture of a mummy on the bottom left hand side?) Brilliant idea and wonderful work as always Steven. Smiles from me!
liliana, 3 months ago
Wonderful illustration! I really like the detail and colours…..and such a great idea to include your old work here.
Jewd, 3 months ago
Its brilliant, as is your hoarding fetish..more power to you..
amarica, 2 months ago
You are kindred spirit. I have a terrible time trying to find something to throw away, but struggle with it. Sure end up with a lot of keepsakes.
Antanas, 2 months ago
beautiful work
BLYTHART, 2 months ago
Never throw anything away Steven … when you become famous it will be worth a fortune. I am, of course, referring to your paintings and drawings … your wife would kill me if I encouraged you to keep all your old socks and shoes …...... what? You DO?
Steven Novak in reply to Paul Compton’s comment, 2 months ago
It is in fact a mummy, yes Paul. It’s also one of the oldest thing in this piece. I’m not sure the exact date, but it had to be sometime around second or third grade.
Steven Novak in reply to liliana’s comment, 2 months ago
Thanks liliana!
Steven Novak in reply to Jewd’s comment, 2 months ago
The term “hoarding fetish” makes it sound somehow dirty? ;) Thanks!
Steven Novak in reply to amarica’s comment, 2 months ago
Some of my “keepsakes” are quickly becoming “trash” though. ;) Thanks Amarica!
Steven Novak in reply to Antanas’s comment, 2 months ago
Thanks!
Steven Novak in reply to BLYTHART’s comment, 2 months ago
Old socks? No…that would be disgusting. Old underpants? yes…of course. ;)
Mysticmoon, 2 months ago
This is so cool and I love the idea of using your own work in the background…. it is great to keep old stuff. I have a chest with a lot of old treasures …. not that they are worth anything to anyone but myself.
Seth Weaver, 2 months ago
I’m a PACK RAT ,or so my wife claims, welcome to the CLUB. All artists worth their salt are they save everything they do, so that someday their work, their life, and their soul will be VALIDATED by someone with the words “He was a Brilliant Artist!”
sharrukina malek, 2 months ago
steven…your work is impeccable. i cant describe it in words. and yes, you have done a grand job on this one including all your past works.
Lucindawind, 2 months ago
wonderful work !
Paola Jofre, 2 months ago
you are very talented and your imagination …..awesome!!! Love this one….so much too look at….all wonderful…...great job!!! :)
Mariana Musa, about 1 month ago
This is amazing, once again! And I love the idea of adding all your work into it …
jstrzab, about 1 month ago
Great work !
Steven Novak in reply to Mysticmoon’s comment, about 1 month ago
I completely agree, though I’m not sure I could call ALL of my old work a “treasure.” At least not with a straight face. ;) Thanks!
Steven Novak in reply to Seth Weaver’s comment, about 1 month ago
Either that or they’ll say, man…that guy spent his entire life making THIS!? ;) Thanks again Seth!
Steven Novak in reply to sharrukina malek’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks Sharrukina, I certainly appreciate your kind words of encouragement.
Steven Novak in reply to Lucindawind’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks Lucinda!
Steven Novak in reply to Paola Jofre’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thank you Paola! I appreciate it. There is an awful lot to look at isn’t there? Even if some of it isn’t very good. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Mariana Musa’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks Mariana!
Steven Novak in reply to jstrzab’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks!
LisaG, about 1 month ago
Extraordinary montage of your life-to-date….I love this…
Paola Jofre, about 1 month ago
it’s all good Steven…...you are very talent…full of imagination :)
Maggieposh, about 1 month ago
Great talent you have..Super Art work from you..Mp
shanmclean, about 1 month ago
lol this is a fantastic image! great concept too
Steven Novak in reply to LisaG’s comment, about 1 month ago
If I don’t make a montage of my life no one is going to. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to Maggieposh’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks again Maggie! You’re being WAY to nice to me in these comments. ;)
Steven Novak in reply to shanmclean’s comment, about 1 month ago
Wow, so I did TWO things right? Thats twice as good as I normally do! ;)