I am a visual artist with a passion for drawing, painting, collage and screenprinting. I love combining materials and techniques to create multimedia masterpieces that celebrate New York City’s cultural diversity!
Born and raised in Queens, NY, the son of a Cuban immigrant mom and NYC cab driver dad, I share my love of NYC through my artwork. I share my nostalgia for everything that makes New York City great while engaging native New Yorkers who still order their bagels with ‘schmear’, bacon, egg and cheese with salt, pepper, ketchup and drink their coffee from blue and white Greek to-go cups and inviting everyone to experience NYC through my eyes.
Just like my Dad drove his cab through the streets of New York City giving his passengers recommendations to his favorite spots in the city – I use my paintbrush to reflect all of things I love about New York City – especially the diversity and the pursuit of the American Dream.
Spidey Loves NY (triptych): (2024) Collage, acrylic markers, watercolors on canvas
A tribute honoring the artist’s mother, Susana Roditi Blum, utilizing a portrait from her quinceañera in Havana, Cuba (February 1954). Created in the style of Shepard Fairey’s Obama “Hope” poster.
Susana’s father fled anti-Semitism in Turkey and found refuge in Cuba, where he met his wife, who had escaped the Nazi regime in Poland. Together, they built a life in Cuba, raising their daughter Susana along with her two sisters and two brothers. Shortly after her quinceañera, Susana fled political unrest in Cuba and sought a new beginning in New York City.
In New York, Susana met her husband, a hardworking taxi driver, and together they raised their family in Flushing, Queens. Despite the challenges of working in a sweatshop with poor conditions, Susana persevered, taking government and state exams to secure better employment. She dedicated her career to helping others, rising to the position of supervisor at the unemployment office.
Susana and her husband instilled the values of hard work, education, and perseverance in their four children, all of whom graduated college and built successful careers and families. This artwork exemplifies “El Sueño Americano” (the American Dream) and pays tribute to Susana Roditi Blum’s unwavering spirit and resilience.
This piece holds particular significance as it serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact immigrants have on society. Susana’s story is a testament to the resilience and contributions of immigrants, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding in the face of adversity.
The artist, deeply moved by the stories of individuals who must leave their birthplace due to dire circumstances, created this piece to honor the courage and determination of those who embark on such journeys. This portrait serves as a reminder of the strength and perseverance required to build a new life in a foreign land, and the incredible contributions immigrants make to their new communities, and the powerful aesthetics that develop as a result of mingling cultures.
“El Sueño Americano” The American Dream: (2025) Found / printed paper, acrylic paint collaged on 3/8″ mortar board
Coming to Queens: (2025) Acrylic paint and paint markers on paper / mortar board
Starry Night in Queens: (2025) Acrylic paint / Screen print on canvas
Tell Car Five Zero to Come Home: (2025) Acrylic paint on canvas
Picasso Inspiration: Acrylic paint and paint markers on paper / mortarboard
Koi Fish: Acrylic on canvas
Graphic Design
Logo design, custom collage.
Galaxy
Acrylic flow paint planet study on canvas.
Pet Portraits
Pet Portraits, digital media in Photoshop.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence collection based on importance of ethics in A.I. Acrylic marker, charcoal on canvas.
Ride the Wave
Acrylic flow on canvas. Canvas size shown is 4 feet x 5 feet.
Gallery Shows
One Art Space, TriBeCa, NYC
February 25, 2023
BlockChain Center, Upper West Side, NYC
April 22-23, 2023
One Art Space, TriBeCa, NY
October 21, 2023
Murals
Splashes of Hope “Painting for a Purpose”, Syracuse NY
November 2023
(This acrylic painting of the Montauk lighthouse was installed at Stony Brook University Hospital, Suffolk County, NY. 2023)
Splashes of Hope “Painting for a Purpose”, Syracuse NY
November 2023
(This mural was installed at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY, November 2023)
About the Artist
SonicBlum is currently exploring the universe, engaging in fun adventures and expressing himself through acrylic paintings and digital art.
Incorporating the golden ratio brings an unparalleled level of beauty to his work.
Commissions accepted.
Follow on Instagram
Stay focused. Take action. The Universe will provide the rest…
CV
Steven Blum
sonicblum@gmail.com
(516) 987-7743
Education
2024 MFA Studio Arts, CUNY Queens College, NYC (expected May 2026) Dean’s List
Professional Experience
1997– Full-time Faculty, Art Teacher PS 205 Queens , Bayside, NY
present
Awards/Grants/Fellowships
2024 Social Practice CUNY Fellowship (Studio Arts), New York, NY
Exhibitions
April 2025 Live Painting, Space Renaissance USA Science Competition / Earth Day
Festival, New York Public Library, Bedford Branch, Brooklyn, NY
March 2025 Group Exhibition, Spring MFA Show, Klapper Studio, Queens, NY
Jan 2025 Group Exhibition, Abstract Art, Cannavita, Astoria, NY
Sept 2024 Group Exhibition, Theatre for the New City, New York, NY
July 2024 Group Exhibition, Artelfest, Chelsea Walls, New York, NY
June 2024 Group Exhibition, Artelfest, Memorial Gore, Brooklyn, NY
April 2024 Group Exhibition, Spring MFA Show, Art Cake Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
March 2024 Group Exhibition, Artelfest, Arteria Art Boutique, Barcelona, Spain
Dec 2023 Live Painting, Gowanus Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Dec 2023 Group Exhibition, Road to Artelfest, Another Day Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Nov 2023 Collaborative Project, Painting for a Purpose, Syracuse, NY
Oct 2023 Group Exhibition, One Art Space, Tribeca, NY
Sept 2023 Group Exhibition, Urban Tapestry, Brooklyn Art Cave, Brooklyn, NY
Sept 2023 Group Exhibition, G-Gallery, New York, NY
Aug 2023 Group Exhibition, Beyond Art Space, Positive Vibez, Brooklyn, NY
May 2023 Group Exhibition, Cinco de Mayo, Bitcoin Center, New York, NY
April 2023 Group Exhibition, Blockchain Center, New York, NY
March 2023 Collaborative Project, International Women’s Conference, Splashes of Hope,
Long Island, NY
Feb 2023 Group Exhibition, Beyond Art Space, One Art Space, Tribeca, NYC
Travel/Foreign Languages Spoken
Fluent in Spanish. Traveled to London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam in 2022.
References
Heather Buggee, Splashes of Hope, Founder and CEO
Email: Heather@splashesofhope.org
Eric Wong, Beyond Art Space, Founder
Email: ewong2486@gmail.com
Glenn Goldberg, Chair and Professor of Art, Queens College, Flushing, NY
Email: 1n.y.native@gmail.com
Chloë, Professor of Art, Queens College, Flushing, NY
Email: chloe.r.bass@gmail.com