Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Steffke.
Hi Kaitlyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Katie Steffke, and I have been creating art since childhood. However, it wasn’t until last year that I felt confident identifying myself as an “artist.” For much of my life, I simply saw myself as someone who enjoyed making art, as it had always been a natural part of who I am.
While I initially gravitated toward ceramics, College of Charleston did not offer that course when I enrolled. This limitation ultimately opened the door to other mediums that I quickly became fixated on including photography, printmaking and sculpture in various mediums. Ultimately I enjoyed videography most a medium I am entirely self-taught in, as it is not offered within the Studio Art program at CofC.
Since officially declaring my major in Studio Art, I have become fully immersed in the artistic process. What once felt like a lack of direction in my portfolio has evolved into a growing collection of work I’m proud of, rapidly resulting in a featured exhibition, article, internship and a literacy arts journal publication. Embracing the title of “artist” has been a journey of both personal identity and creative comfort.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I chose to major in Studio Art, I was fully aware of the risks involved and the stereotypes that often accompany a creative career. However I am committed to challenging the notion of the “starving artist” by actively pursuing opportunity, and innovation within my practice. Over time, I’ve found myself drawn to exploring different artistic eras and conceptual ideas, pushing the boundaries of both my technical skills and creative mindset.
I am currently focused on opening myself up to new approaches, techniques, and collaborations. For a period, I was resistant to external influence determined to create in isolation without drawing inspiration from others! However, I’ve come to recognize that it is nearly impossible to separate oneself from the impact of external and even subconscious sources. This realization has shaped a new goal: to intentionally absorb and respond to the world around me, allowing my environment and experiences to inform and enrich my work. Deepening my substance and meaning behind my art. I am in a transitional period with my work that once had the strongest emphasis on style, embellishments and shock factor.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist and art director who brings conceptual ideas to life through cinematography, printmaking, photography, and sculpture. My growth and creative experience has taught me that, at its core, being an artist does not set me apart from my community it connects me to it. While each artist follows their own “practice”, we are all connected by a shared and undeniable drive which is to create.
What sets me aside is that with my work there is the belief that art should offer space rather than impose meaning. I invite my viewers to “take what resonates and leave the rest.” I don’t expect anyone to ever fully grasp my emotions or personal perspective… Every artwork is a combination of brainstorming, flow, trial and error, and refinement each contributing to the final form in ways that go beyond the surface level aesthetic style I display, that’s just as vulnerable as I’m willing to be currently.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I advise anyone starting out as an artist to understand that to fully succeed as a self actualized creative you must really know this is what you want to do. I often find people come into this field with the ultimate extrinsic goal of riches, prestige, and/or fame but you must understand that if you are making art to solely achieve something superficial rather than making art to simply make art you are wasting your own time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/archivegirl/archivegirl
- Instagram: archivegir1 & katiesteffke
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-steffke-9ba66718a
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3ItPIYOG1T/
