Paradise area artist Eberhardt building his legacy
STEVE EBERHARDT designed the table above for a Chuy’s “Tex-Mex” restaurant in southern California. At right is a ‘Dragon Master” sketch with its own story line.
EBERHARDT USED his airbrush technique to design the eagle above for the walls of Chuy’s restaurant chain outlets in California, and the design below for the Clark Fork Valley Cafeteria in Plains.
STEVE EBERHARDT works in his studio on a sketch for a large project to which his son, Billy, has undertaken back East. Steve, who lives with his wife Lisa east of Paradise, has 45 years of professional artistic experience. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Eberhardt)
Sit down with Steve Eberhardt, and you’d believe he’s lived in western Montana all his life.
The nearly lifelong artist and his wife Lisa live a few miles east of Paradise, having moved to Sanders County about three years ago from Ventura, Calif.
Steve brought with him his talent in a variety of mediums, such as airbrush, acrylics and water colors. He has created thousands of masterpieces — a majority of them for such companies as Stetson, Tyson, Churchill Downs, 7 Crown, Louisville Slugger, Jim Beam, and the British American Tobacco Company.
That work has been accomplished during his 45 years as an artist. He’s been a “traveling man,” going to many areas of the U.S. and even to London for some special assisgnments.
Steve and Lisa have been married for 20 years, and she has supported his career in a big way.
“We’ve had a ball. She’s my best friend and my biggest fan,” he said.
Lisa is primarily responsible for the Eberhardts relocating to western Montana.
A “headhunter” contacted Lisa about perhaps coming to Sanders County to run the nursing department at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains.
Lisa and Steve made the trip, and wow, what a journey it was from their “digs” in California. They were in awe of the beauty of serenity of the Clark Fork Valley.
Lisa became chief nursing officer at CFVH, where she is today.
He thought back to “we want to move here and stay for the rest of our lives.
“We found a house we really liked. We sold out down there (in Ventura) and haven’t looked back since.”
It has been adjustment from the hustle and bustle of southern California, but was a snap. “It was just a matter of re-gearing and reorganizing,” Steve said.
The Eberhardts fit in immediately, giving the friendliness of Sanders County folk. Steve serves on the Sanders County Arts Council. He teaches art classes at the Paradise Center.
Steve is also working with the Sanders County Economic Development Corporation in identifying the sides of buildings on which to paint murals. There is talk of developing a memorial park in Thompson Falls.
STEVE LOVES to talk about his artwork for restaurants and lounges.
One of his favorites is Chuy’s, the Tex-Mex restaurant chain in California. They’re considered a “baja broiler.” Chuy’s had 48 outlets at its peak, but fewer restaurants now. Steve painted just about everything — walls, tables (see sketch at right), menus, ceilings, T-shirts and even the faces of clients who come in for a bite to eat, and a “new look.
“I’m the art director for the chain,” Steve said, even since he and Lisa have moved to rural Sanders County.
Steve’s handiwork is also well known in Vancouver, Wash., at Chuy’s sister restaurants such as Charlie’s, Hooligan’s and Offramp.
How did Steve get started? He went to college at the University of Evansville in Indiana, graduating with Bachelor degree in Fine Arts.
When we check in with Steve in a second article in next week’s Valley Press, you’ll hear about his affiliation with Star Trek, Disney and other “big names.”
You’ll also hear why Steve and Lisa are “here to stay” in Montana.