Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jane Steelman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jane thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful projects I create are portraits. I love to paint children and pets. These are very meaningful to the people who commission these paintings. It is extremely rewarding when the portrait is unveiled and the client is moved emotionally. I know I have captured the essence of the person or animal when this happens. I just completed a 20×20 portrait of my brother and his wife while they were in Cancun. The background of the ocean is beautiful and the way they are looking at each other is priceless. I loved doing this portrait. I worked in pastel but have also completed portraits in oils.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Born in Winston-Salem, NC, I worked toward a degree in Art at Appalachian State University. I studied under Bill Dunlap in drawing and painting as well as Clyde Owen in Ceramics. I is certified in art education for K-12 and taught high school Advanced Digital Photography and AP Art History. I now teaches private art lessons in her home studio.
I work in various media including pastels, charcoal, acrylic, oils, alcohol inks, oil and cold wax and stained glass. I enjoy the vibrant colors found in alcohol inks and stained glass and the blending qualities of pastels and oils. My work varies from photorealistic charcoals and pastels to abstract landscapes in acrylics and alcohol inks. My work can be found in a myriad of public and private art collections and has been seen in numerous exhibitions; local, state and international.
I was awarded First Place in the National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American Heritage Art Contest in the category of Pastels for three years. Prints of my winning entries have been donated to the NC Veteran’s Life Center,1005 9th St., Butner, NC.
One of my paintings has been selected for the Spotlight on Artists Public Art Project 2021 and is on display as a mural at the Wake Forest Renaissance Center, 405 Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC.
I was presented with the 2021 Piedmont Award from the Piedmont Pastel Society for a pastel portrait (Caroline)
I am the past President of the Pastel Society of North Carolina, a member and steering committee member of the Wake Forest Guild of Artists. I currently lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina where I have a home studio.
I have had the pleasure of judging exhibitions in the area.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
In our school systems we need to celebrate the creative process in not only visual arts but also music, dance, etc. It seems that when funding is tight the first things cut are the very subjects that make us human and enjoy life. If we focused on making certain that our children are well rounded and appreciate the arts, we might decrease social isolation, mental health issues and bullying. This might also lead to adults who have been exposed to the arts as children being more appreciative of the time and effort put into those endeavors and understand not only the process but also the worth of the work. Unless our society understands the importance of arts in the life of our citizens there will never be a truly thriving creative ecosystem. It seems that only the wealthy and educated appreciate and support the arts and have the kind of access that should be fundamental to all citizens. Creative endeavors can truly help people struggling with depression, stress, self-worth and life enjoyment. Our society has created a situation where workers focus on making money rather than a life. This has led to stress, the disintegration of the family unit, lack of parenting and thus children being involved in more violent crime. Giving everyone an opportunity for a creative outlet is only one aspect of helping people cope with the stresses of the fast paced lifestyle we have created in America.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I just attended a talk concerning NFTs and find the process fascinating. I hope to learn more about NFTs and start to create art that is sold through this method. Artists, including myself, get requests to purchase NFTs quite often which is usually a scam. I am not prepared at this time to sell using NFTs but know that I want to using a process that is secure. When taking on any new way of selling one must also considering how this will be marketed. As a sole proprietor of Steelman Studios I find it difficult to do everything that needs to be done to run a business and create enough product to keep up with demand. Adding the option for NFTs will also add another layer of activity that will require time.
Whenever using technology to attempt to sell artwork, the most important aspect is marketing. One cannot set up any shopping venue and expect it to be successful unless it is attended to daily. It seems overwhelming to most creatives to add this to what else is already on their full plates. 
Contact Info:
- Website: http://steelmanstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelman_studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janesteelmanart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jane-davis-steelman-9809952/
- Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/steelmanstudios
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SteelmanStudios.
- Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jane-steelman
Image Credits
For “Caroline” Averette Photography [email protected] 5716 Barham Siding Rd Wake Forest NC,27587 919-345-1306