Steven Soderbergh is a really good director! He has made a bunch of really small and interesting independent movies, like Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Schizopolis, and Bubble. But then when he makes a big studio movie it’s always bright and fun, but still somehow more clever and cool than those movies are ever expected to be (Out of Sight, the Ocean’s movies). He’s great! So it is too bad that he told the New York Times he’s not actually going to be making movies anymore:

Mr. Soderbergh was speaking last month in his office space-cum-painting studio in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, where, having announced his imminent retirement from directing, he will soon be spending a lot more time. Propped against the walls are some of his recent pieces: a pair of striped canvases in red and gray hues and a portrait of the abstract painter Agnes Martin. Mr. Soderbergh, 48, sounded matter-of-fact about the career change. “I’m interested in exploring another art form while I have the time and ability to do so,” he said. “I’ll be the first person to say if I can’t be any good at it and run out of money I’ll be back making another ‘Ocean’s’ movie.”

See?! He even approaches a casual discussion of his artistic ambitions with that same wry, winking attitude that has made the Ocean’s franchise so successful. Obviously, as huge supporters of the ARTS and of the FOLLOWING ONE’S DREAMS, we can only standby and cheer Mr. Soderbergh on in this latest creative endeavor. It’s always hard to leave behind the comfort and security of something familiar for the cold wastes of (painting?) the unknown. Good luck, Steven! That being said, have you seen some of this guy’s work?

THE PAINTINGS OF STEVEN SODERBERGH:






GOTCHA! Did you really think those were Steven Soderbergh’s paintings? Children made those! Oh man, haha. I fooled you good! Best of luck with your paintings, Steven Soderbergh! If you get bored, please make another movie, thanks.

Comments (33)
  1. Why is he painting space cum?

  2. HEY! those pieces should be put back where they belong– in a museum!

  3. I hope this goes better than Lady Gaga’s foray into “acting” the other night at the VMA’s.

  4. Are we very certain his name isn’t Simon? Because those are some damn fine drawings.

  5. He also bought a house next to Bill Waterson’s, in the insanely talented recluse district

  6. Oh man, I almost got out my wallet filled with million dollar bills to purchase those pieces of art.

  7. He’s already turning heads in the industry by casting real-life adult film star Sasha Grey as his easel.

  8. That clown will haunt my waking hours for all eternity.

  9. “I studied painters. I looked at the idea of having more brushes, more easels, and the spacial awareness. A painter paints up, down, side-to-side, all around.” -Steven Soderbergh

  10. His bravery has inspired me to retire from my web-surfing and blogging career, and take up songwriting. Thanks Steven! But, I’ll be the first to admit it if I’m not good at it, and go right back to blogging. Probably by Thursday.

  11. How did videogum manage to get their hands on my picture of a koala at the top there?

  12. When did Gabe quit blogging to become a professional celebrity prankster?

  13. Painting? I still think he should have opened Soderburgers as his next venture.

  14. Why did he feel the need to make a big announcement about it? I understand why someone like Taylor Momsen would want to make a big deal about not acting anymore – she wanted to make sure that people didn’t think she was unemployable (“You can’t fire me, I’m retired!”).
    But him? If people notice they haven’t had a Soderbergh movie in a while, they’ll just think “Oh, good for him. He’s doing something else he likes an enjoying his many millions of dollars. Hey, do I need to pick up milk later?”

  15. really? nobody mentions traffic…………………………………………………………………………

  16. Am I the only one who didn’t know that Steven Soderbergh is Community’s Dean Pelton’s twin? Wow.

  17. i respect that. i mean maybe he will make money based on previous fame alone. he should paint pictures that are actually just handwritten rumors about actors heard on the set of his movies.

  18. wait, does everyone think he’s good? did anyone see ‘full frontal’? it sucked so bad.

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