Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Steinkamp.
Ken, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My life as an artist began when I was very young growing up in a small farming town in Iowa. The landscape was mostly flat with soft rolling fields, of rich black soil all nestled below the vast dome of the sky. The horizon, always visible and captivating with its always changing light, cloud filled drama, alluring to the mysteries that were beyond it, anchored me in its presence. Little did I know it would be the core of my life as an artist.
I began taking art classes in junior high. Images of telephone poles, wires along a solitary two lane roads with brilliant sky colors, filtered by tree in limbs in winter light began to appear up in my paintings. During that time, I was also drawn to Jackson Pollock’s emotive abstract style. Encouraged by my teachers, I began to develop my own expressive style and that allowed to me attend college on a four-year scholarship. My goal was to become an art teacher.
During this time, I had many younger art instructors who embraced freer teaching approach. That coupled with the changing of social mores of the 60’s, encouraged me to actively explore my personal style of lines, layers, texture, figures, conceptual art, and the talented major artists of that tumultuous time.
After graduation in 1970, I enlisted in the Army and by chance qualified to work in the White House Photo Lab. in Washington DC., where I learned photography while working with the White House photographers. Graduate school followed in 1973, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. followed by teaching for two years in Madison.
Soon after, the desire for travel again beckoned and I moved to Santa Barbara CA., where I worked at the Santa Museum of Art. Then with airline deregulation in full swing, I was lured into exploring horizons as a flight attendant with American Airlines. For the twenty-eight years that followed, I was able to explore a variety destination in the US and Europe, and cultural opportunities they presented. The job allowed me considerable time off, reasonably good pay and benefits. Shortly after starting, I established my first studio in Santa Monica where by meeting other artists and taking in the culture of LA, I began to mature as an artist. I subsequently moved to New England and retired in 2007. Here I have continued to grow my extensive body of abstract, conceptual art work, in part by referencing the countless journeys into horizons I have experienced.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create work that has many layers consisting of bold lines, textures and a variety of mediums. I use and power tools such as a grinder, house paint, graphite, wire, acrylics, oil paint, tar, ink, express my inner emotions. I create on a variety of surfaces: paper, canvases wood, metal, and acrylic panels. I approach each piece from an inside out point of view, to reveal my inner landscape.
Each piece generally evolves in three stages: the first, a free flowing using pencil, paint and, and other mediums on the desired surface. To avoid overworking apiece, I work on three or more similarly sized pieces simultaneously. I find this stage is most invigorating. but in the end full of doubt.
Stage two is more reflective. Here I attempt to discover the pieces voice or the truth(s). It’s art factor. This stage can last some time, years some cases. Pieces marooned in this phase often get completely reworked, and often, regrettably so.
In phase three I bring I attempt to bring back a vitality and renewed freshness to the piece. It should now have surface of lines and layers that has a framed presence of control, freedom, harmony and enigma. A artistic surface ready to be seen and experienced. I have alluded to how surface layering is essential to my style. It began several years ago when I began using acrylic panels to enhance the mystery and depth of my works.
By painting, scoring with a grinder, adding a variety textures I attempt marry the front and back of the acrylic panel over a painted substrate. It is my intent to have the acrylic panel becomes an obscured expressive, mirror like shield. I often accomplish this often by juxtapose hard-edged straight lines and shapes to compliment the visceral lines.
For me a successful piece, it’s artistic value, is one that causes the viewer to pause with wonder in its presence. Experiencing its wordless voice. (Of course, the sale of the piece is another way to gauge its success!) I am always gratified when viewers say they are not sure how to express in words what it is about a particular piece, but it causes them to pause and moves them. My process is a 24/7 one. Whether I am in my studio, watching television, driving, walking, shopping, eating, and so forth, I am always observing, feeling, absorbing the countless characteristics and moments and life. They all relate my being an artist. How they are in turn portrayed or whether they become art, is my artistic challenge.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
One of the challenges for younger artists coming out of school, artists moving to a new area, or overcoming shyness, is how to adapt to a new area and meet other artists. Utilizing social media is one way, but other opportunities are available. Working in studio space that is in a building or area with other artists can be most full filling, as It allows you to commensurate with other artists. I have been fortunate to have had many such studios in my career. The encouragement, social opportunities that resulted have been invaluable. Local art organizations, internet forums, attending gallery openings and other art events can help build connections that can be rewarding in many ways.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
ArtProv Gallery
150 Chestnut Street
3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
401 641 5182
info@artprovidence.com
Coastal Contemporary Gallery, Newport RI:
491 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
401.612.6121
coastalcontemporary@gmail.com
Collette Royer Consulting,
Boston MA:
colletteroyer.com
collette@colletteroyer.com
Saatchi Art Gallery Online
www.saatchiart.com
By appointment:
kensteinkamp@icloud.com
(T)860-501-0383
Contact Info:
- Address: 32 Friendship St Studio H
Westerly RI 02891 - Website: www.kensteinkamp.com
- Phone: 860-501-0383
- Email: kensteinkamp@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kensteinkamp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kensteinkamp
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kensteinkamp
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensteinkampartist/
Image Credit:
Ken Steinkamp
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