I’m a huge fan of internet meme days, such as April Fools, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Halloween and, yes, it’s that time of year — May the Fourth — which means it is Star Wars day! That was my cue to find a local Jedi.

Star Wars Day in St. Louis

The force was strong as, yesterday, I serendipitously got connected with Steven Walden, a St. Louis based artist and “hardcore original trilogy guy.” Steven was just featured on Fox2News, as he is hosting a live painting & sci-fi art exhibit at The Link Auditorium tomorrow (Saturday May 4th, 2024).

Artists are Entrepreneurs

It occurred to me that Steven’s labor of love was an appropriate story for EQ, as artists are entrepreneurs too. Like, shouldn’t I start considering artists as the original entrepreneurs?

After all, they share our values! They’d rather not “work for the man”; they want to build on their own talents, they create things and follow their bliss.

Stamina for Running Your Own Business is a Matter of Mindset

If you check out Steven Walden’s website, his about page validates my hunch. In his own words:

“I didn’t start painting until 2014, but now it’s my full-time job… it’s a one-man operation, so I handle everything: designing the site, marketing, promotion, customer service, ordering and keeping stock of inventory, mailing out orders, and social media interactions.”

So, keeping in step with a tradition of asking St. Louis entrepreneurs this question, I asked Steven:

What “Jedi Mind Tricks” Have Helped In Your Professional Career?

“Love the question! I’m Gen X and although I consider myself a hardcore “original trilogy guy,” the Jedi mindset that sprung up for me was Qui Gon Jinn… He says a couple of things that resonate with me.”

Stay Present

Qui Gon reminds Obi Wan to to stay in the present, “Always be mindful of the living force“.

“And that’s been a big thing for me is to avoid what is known as ‘stinking thinking’ or ‘future tripping’, which means worrying about step 87… when all you can control is what’s in front of you, at any given moment.”

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

“The other one —and I think it’s probably even more relatable for artists— is when they’re escaping from the Gungans underwater realm, and all the giant digital sea monsters that are attacking each other Qui Gon says, ‘there’s always a bigger fish.'”

“And even though he’s you know, meaning in a different context, I like to think of it as advice “to stay grounded,” especially when it comes to comparing ourselves to others work.

Comparison is the thief of joy, right? We have to keep being present in the moment. As artists, all we can control is what we do and what we put out there. We can’t control the responses of others. And we can’t let those bigger fish swallow us up!”

Connect with Steven Walden & Other St. Louis Artists

Thanks for sharing your insights into mindset, Steven! You can catch Steven hosting a live painting session this Saturday May 4th, 2024 from 3pm at The Link Auditorium.

He’ll be just one of many artists presenting their work tomorrow – and there’s a raffle to win some paintings. There will also be a collection of Star Wars toy dioramas and even a lightsaber making workshop.

Star Wars Day: May the Fourth Celebration at The Link Auditorium

May the Fourth: The Link Auditorium, located at 4504 Westminster Place in the Central West End, will hold its third annual Star Wars Day celebration on May 4, 2024, from 3 PM to 9 PM.

Events include: film screening, live painting & sci fi art exhibit by local artist Steven Walden, costume contest, craft a foam lightsaber, Jedi themed keynote address by SLU Professor of Bioethics and Philosophy Jeffrey Bishop, live music by Tory Stardust & Band and Kevin Helmsling, comics and toys, raffles, art by Julie Malone and lots of SWAG prizes to win! Steve’s Hot Dogs and Cash BAR too! Costumes optional but highly encouraged.

Free and open to the public; all ages welcome! May the 4th be with you!