You are you and that is true, there's no one in the world who's you-er than you.” –Dr. Seuss
This quote from Dr. Seuss reminds us all that it is OK to be you, that it is OK to be yourself and embrace all of you. Every passion, quirk and soul is uniquely an individual’s own. One South Bend resident and Indiana University South Bend student is trying to make her mark on the world as she embodies all of this quote through her art. I recently met with local artist and student Lauren Steinhofer to discover her passion that is uniquely hers.
Walking into Steinhofer ’s art studio, you can immediately see the passion and soul Steinhofer brings to her work. The walls are painted and drawn upon. Each paint stroke and drawing reflect a moment in Steinhofer’s life that words alone could not describe. Hanging across her walls are references she uses for her works.
What is your major and why did you decide to pursue that?
Steinhofer: I am majoring in graphic design with a minor in painting and drawing at Indiana University South Bend. I chose my major because my parents didn't think I could make any money just painting and drawing, [laughs] which is sadly, probably true. I just really had to do something creative.
Can you explain what exactly a graphic designer does?
Steinhofer: Honestly, as a graphic designer you install an image to a label, much like a face to a name. I mean if you see a swoosh symbol, you know it is Nike. It is also spreading the word, visually, in an organized manner.
What are you passionate about?
Steinhofer: My passions are painting, portraiture and poetry.
Why did you get into art?
Steinhofer: Honestly, I never knew anything different. In high school, I was pretty much cast in the shadows of the art scene. So I doodled here and there, until my mom died my senior year. From then on, it became my way to relieve any kind of emotion I could not put into words. Even if the overall image doesn't portray the emotion I was feeling, I know what each brush stroke meant to me.
Who inspires you?
Steinhofer: I am inspired by Shell Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. Rembrandt is my idol, but Salvador Dali just gets me. Andrew Salgado is where is aspire to be. (Wassily) Kandisnsky pretty much gives painting purpose for me - his ideology, not so much his paintings.
Who has been your biggest influence with your career and art?
Steinhofer: My biggest influence has probably been my painting and graphic design professors at IUSB, Ron Monsma and John Thompson. These two men have given me the knowledge I really needed to know in order to fully create whatever it is I am imagining, but honestly, I still have a ways to go.
What has been your favorite piece of art you have done and what medium do you prefer to use?
Steinhofer: Honestly, I haven’t done it. If I ever build up enough courage to do a portrait of my mom, that will be it. I use a lot of oils, but lately I have been doing a lot of monochromatic pieces with acrylic, just because I have been broke [laughs].
Why is art important to you and the community?
Steinhofer: Art is important to the world because it is a mark in history. We distinguish parts of time by the way we portray it artistically - whether to the hour or to the year. It represents the general train of thought of the period. I just want to leave something I can be remembered by.
South Bend is hosting its annual Art Best Festival on August 20, 2016. Can you explain what it is and are you participating?
Steinhofer: Art Beat is a local art festival on all of Michigan Street in South Bend. For the past four or five years I have just been a spectator, or an admirer to the people who have been able to put their work out there for the public eye. That is a large fear of mine, people can be harsh. I finally feel confident enough, or maybe even numb enough, to join in.
Can you explain what types of pieces we could see of yours at Art Beat?
Steinhofer: There are several pieces being shown at Art Beat, one of which is a portrait of myself with the form of the face being minimalist with a surrounding of black forms. This piece along side of it studies the human form all done monochromatic… this pretty much speaks to the pressure society puts on a woman to be a certain shape. I purposely chose not to include faces because in society, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re subject to ridicule. I generally focus on eyes as well, they tell a lot about a person, their past; their future.
Can you offer any advice to those who want to do art?
Steinhofer: Honestly, if anyone ever wants to make anything with whatever, just do it. "It's not who we think we are that holds us back, it is who we think we are not.'' - Basquiat.
Upon meeting Steinhofer and viewing her work, it is easy to see her soul behind each and every brush stroke. Steinhofer’s work offers an honest and raw reflection of the human spirit. Steinhofer captures each and every triumph and failure reflected in the eyes of her paintings.
To see more of Steinhofer’s work, as well as the work of other local artists, check out South Bend’s Art Beat on August 20, 2016 in downtown South Bend. You can also view her professional page here.
