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, Fine Arts and Self Portrait Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

TeriLee
This is awesome….those scribbled on papers will be worth a fortune when you become famous :)
Steven Novak replied
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. ;)
Jan Landers
oh how very cool, steven…..love it! :-)
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Jan, much appreciated.
Jen Cannella
What an amazing job you’ve done…I love that you saved your old work and included it here!
Steven Novak replied
This was just an excuse to convince my wife that there was a “reason” I was saving it. ;)
Leslie Patton
Great stuff, love the colors and detail. I like that you show your old work in this piece! Great combination!
Steven Novak replied
Thank you much Leslie! It’s about time I used it for something. ;)
vonne
Instant Fav!
Steven Novak replied
THANKS!
gypsycaster
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….)
Steven Novak replied
She may be secretly proud, but amused? Eh…she could be using that closet for shoes. ;)
CATNIPMEOW
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…....
Steven Novak replied
I have in fact seen that movie, yes. I don’t have a 4 year old, but I do have the sensibilities of one. ;)
darkestartist
interesting concept, great illustration. love the bandages, you must have been a real hellraiser lol
Steven Novak replied
I was…something. ;) Thanks!
Cherie Dirksen
Another great artwork!
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Cherie!
cheetaah
For me this is #1…........it’s one of a kind, Great art.
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Cheetaah!
Tracey-Anne Pryke
fabulous work…he looks like a young time lord…....
Steven Novak replied
Young time lord, huh? I have no idea what that means, but I kind of dig it. ;)
TeriLee
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
Oh no!! Not shoes!!!!
apjenkins
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.
Steven Novak replied
No worries the chances of me letting my wife get rid of it are zero. She knew who I was when she married me. ;)
Cvail73
“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! ;)
Steven Novak replied
Maybe I’ll dig some of the really old stuff of mothballs and post it in here sometime. Might be good for a laugh. ;)
Brian Towers
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.
Steven Novak replied
Thank you Brian. Much appreciated. And don’t worry, the old stuff isn’t going anywhere. ;)
hikickry
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
Steven Novak replied
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.
elisab
You must be a true artist, saving all that work. I was a pack rat, but I have reformed.
Steven Novak replied
Good for you! Chances of me reforming though are…ummm…well, lets just say, slim. ;)
Shanina Conway
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;)
Steven Novak replied
I already used that line on all of other crap I’ve collected over the years. ;)
pinkyjain
Wow, whoa, this is totally awwwesome, wow, your detail your imagniation 10000% masterpiece. Glad you kept everything
Steven Novak replied
10000%!? That’s pretty damn good. ;) Thanks Pinky!
sweetscent62
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
Steven Novak replied
Bigger houses or less annoying spouses. (Hey, that rhymed!) ;)
Chanel2
This is fantastic. Gloriously colourful and no, you could never throw out those masterpieces :)
Steven Novak replied
Thanks! And don’t worry, despite my wifes complaints, the old stuff isn’t going anywhere. ;)
clarkey
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!”
Steven Novak replied
Pack rats unite! ;) Thanks Clarkey.
Michelle Boyer
Great work
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Michelle!
Karin Taylor
i love this Steven, the details are wonderful :)
Steven Novak replied
Thank you much Karin.
Charl045
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 replied
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. ;)
Tracey-Anne Pryke
have you heard of Dr.Who?
Steven Novak replied
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) ;)
Tracey-Anne Pryke
ooooooooooooooooooo, naughty naughty,.and who care’s….your work is just the biz..lord or no LORD…
Cvail73
You should, I have no doubt it would be successful :)
Paul Compton
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!
Steven Novak replied
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.
liliana
Wonderful illustration! I really like the detail and colours…..and such a great idea to include your old work here.
Steven Novak replied
Thanks liliana!
Jewd
Its brilliant, as is your hoarding fetish..more power to you..
Steven Novak replied
The term “hoarding fetish” makes it sound somehow dirty? ;) Thanks!
amarica
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.
Steven Novak replied
Some of my “keepsakes” are quickly becoming “trash” though. ;) Thanks Amarica!
Antanas
beautiful work
Steven Novak replied
Thanks!
BLYTHART
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 replied
Old socks? No…that would be disgusting. Old underpants? yes…of course. ;)
Mysticmoon
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.
Steven Novak replied
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!
Seth Weaver
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!”
Steven Novak replied
Either that or they’ll say, man…that guy spent his entire life making THIS!? ;) Thanks again Seth!
sharra
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.
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Sharrukina, I certainly appreciate your kind words of encouragement.
Lucindawind
wonderful work !
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Lucinda!
Paola Jofre
you are very talented and your imagination …..awesome!!! Love this one….so much too look at….all wonderful…...great job!!! :)
Steven Novak replied
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. ;)
mrana
This is amazing, once again! And I love the idea of adding all your work into it …
Steven Novak replied
Thanks Mariana!
Gaz Gazmajster
Great work !
Steven Novak replied
Thanks!
Lisa Jewell
Extraordinary montage of your life-to-date….I love this…
Steven Novak replied
If I don’t make a montage of my life no one is going to. ;)
Paola Jofre
it’s all good Steven…...you are very talent…full of imagination :)
Maggieposh
Great talent you have..Super Art work from you..Mp
Steven Novak replied
Thanks again Maggie! You’re being WAY to nice to me in these comments. ;)
shanmclean
lol this is a fantastic image! great concept too
Steven Novak replied
Wow, so I did TWO things right? Thats twice as good as I normally do! ;)
EarthGipsy
What a great idea for the background…..and a title. Brilliant work Steven :)
Birgitta
You are a mastermind Jeenyus.
Truly.
Rosemaree
Being a ‘pack rat’ can be handy some times…lol… great cartoon
Devalyn Marshall
Wonderful art! The background is amazing!
Susan van Zyl
Wonderful detail! Love it!
tradewinds
love all your work so much detail and lots of fun in this one ;-)
Laurie Search
What a fantastic piece of work this is!!!! I love that you have a bunch of your old art behind you!!! So much detail here!