Even at four years old, Sebastian knew he wanted to be an artist. Born in New York City in 1964 to upper-class parents, Sebastian spent the early years of his life painting, drawing and learning to play classical guitar. However, this carefree world came to a tragic halt when Sebastian's father unexpectedly passed away when the artist was only 15 years old. With no stable source of income, Sebastian's family was thrust into poverty and subsequently moved to San Francisco in order to seek better fortune. It was this profound loss and upheaval of his family that granted Sebastian with an early appreciation for what is truly important in life. For example, his art began to reflect the influence of nature on the human mind and creativity. The architecture, mountains and ocean in and around San Francisco became an infinite source of inspiration.
Upon graduating high school, Sebastian was accepted into the BFA program at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. His talent was recognized immediately, earning him the Best of Ringling Award two years in a row. Once again, Sebastian's art was inspired by his natural surroundings, this time with the beaches of Florida acting as his muse. After graduating from Ringling, Sebastian entered the MFA program at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. After completing his MFA studies in 1992, he disembarked for further study in Naples, Italy.
Sebastian's painting flourished in Naples, where he was inspired by the culture and heritage of the region. Taught by the modern master Vaugel, Sebastian refined his style and technique. He also began sharing his talents by teaching figure painting to a bevy of students, many of which became professional artists themselves. After spending seven years in Italy, he returned to the U.S., and made his home in Atlanta.
Sebastian's work has evolved dramatically over the years. Although he prefers to work with the human figure, he has moved on to dynamic, figurative abstracts that reflect the natural colors and lines that propel so much of his motivation and vision.
