Steve Fleckenstein creates art characterized by flat solid shapes, using either cut paper or acrylic paint. His work abstracts and simplifies tangible objects, situations and concepts to focus on shapes, colors, values and negative space. He explores patterns, layers, and the relationships between the two and uses color to convey either vibrancy or tranquility.

About the Ghost Houses Project

I started the Ghost Houses project to explore my interests in precision paper cutting, use of negative space, and changes that are happening in my community of Arlington, Virginia.​

The houses in these images were actual houses in Arlington that were torn down in 2023 to make way for new houses. Many people view the disappearance of these old houses, most of which were built in the 1940s and 1950s, with sadness or dismay.​

I view it differently. To me, this is an opportunity to reflect on how the built environment shaped (and was shaped by) life in Arlington and to imagine how changes to the built environment will continue to shape the community I’ve called home for over 30 years.

Contact the artist:
Instagram: @steve_fleckenstein​
Email: srfleckenstein@icloud.com