A portrait of an artist as a young, young man

Local artist and entrepreneur Gage Stieg stopped by the Eagle office Tuesday to discuss his recent business venture and his philosophy on drawing cool stuff. Well renowned for his Star Wars drawings, he also draws cool things in general.

Gage does art because it's fun, but understands that to continue his passion, he must balance it with business. He accepts $6 commissions to draw cool things. He has sold pictures depicting dragons, mermaids, a unicorn and Master Shredder. Examples of his work can be found in A & A Stieg, Stompin' Grounds, Mainstreet Market and the hospital. Gage plans on using his profits to invest heavily in Star Wars Legos.

Gage has been drawing for years. He has been encouraged to develop his art by his parents and grandparents, who have given him art supplies. At home he studies art books, and, recently, he's incorporated YouTube art lessons into his education. His advice to aspiring artists is elegantly simple, "Keep practicing."

Gage is a traditionalist, preferring the mediums of paper and a regular pencil. He's fluid in his adaptation to different pencils and settings; with no regular studio he isn't bound to desks and their limited perspective. Gage said he really likes drawing and when he isn't working on a commissioned piece, he draws whatever he wants.