Even though his Russian heritage is often noted in his palette as well as the treatment of his subjects, Steele's approach to figure is rooted in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Steele's fusion of realistically rendered forms with allegorical elements almost impose his personal world on the viewer, resulting in strongly metaphorical imagery as in his 20-foot “Soul of the Hero,” executed for a private residence in LA, and his depiction of Mick Fleetwood in “Blue Rose.” Through its broad thematic range, Steele's work exhibits a fascination with the expressive possibilities of figure based on a skillful representation of dynamic foreshortenings, and the ability to construct complex compositions.
At the same time, his depiction of epic grandeur comes across even in his plein-air landscape works, as in “Glowing Cliff,” and in his portrayal of larger than life contemporary personalities, such as the portrait of “Donna Fleischer.” Solving various problems in the development of his mammoth works, Steele employs largely forgotten Renaissance period processes.
Continuing work on his large scale drawings, in August 2011 he exhibited an epic cartoon measuring 100" X 80" titled "Rising: Jaboy, Christian, Derron, Michael, Luis" in "The New Romantic Figure", a ground breaking group show of figurative works by prominent Californian artists at California Lutheran University's Kwan Fong Gallery.
[1] In June 2009, Steele received Artemis Award for celebrating the power and beauty of women through his art on a heroic scale in the modern world particularly in his multi-figure compositions “The Circle” and “The Soul of The Hero”.
In the works since 2001, "Fire of Peace" serves as the modern day icon for new inter-cultural paradigm of inclusive unity and mutual respect, reflecting broader pluralistic culture while remaining viable to traditional communities, thus encouraging a seismic shift in their fundamental perception of each other, presenting an inspiring vision of lasting acceptance and embrace among most vital to World Peace Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities.
In March 2010, Steele founded NOVOREALISM, a venture consisting of an online magazine, gallery and academy, and aimed at explaining his views in contemporary art.
“Battle of the Angels” also appeared in a Toyota commercial representing the office of a sinister financial ruler of the world.
Steele inspired disturbing concepts on singer-activist Catman Cohen's album covers for “How I want to die” and “How I want to Live."
"Alexey Steele is featured in "Today's Masters, Fine Art Connoisseur, January 2010" (PDF).
"Alexey Steele Receives Prestigious Artemis Award, Trans World News, June 2009".