We were lucky to catch up with Lauren C. Steinert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren C., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

When asked if I’m happy being an artist, the answer is always yes. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life and being anywhere near as excited about each and every day. Now when asked about having a regular job? I happen to have a couple. However, all are within the arts—so maybe this isn’t “regular” to someone else. I’m immensely fortunate and grateful to work as an adjunct professor in printmaking, as a glassblowing instructor, and as an artist assistant for a painter. I also work at different summer workshop programs over the summer when school is not in session. This is all alongside my personal artistic practice. Within all of my different jobs, I am constantly teaching and working with people to improve and expand upon their art practices. This has been constantly inspiring for me when creating my own work. Even with all of these jobs, I wouldn’t say being in the arts is “easy”—it comes with challenges that a 9-5 surely does not. Long nights working on my own art after teaching all day can be quite exhausting. There isn’t really the “leave work in the office” mentality in art. But isn’t that part of the joy in being an artist? To be inspired by the things and people around you constantly. Having an innate need to create is part of our nature. There is a drive to create that is insatiable and constant. While creating, I am at peace, excited, and constantly trying to figure out why I need to make what I’m making and what it’s purpose is. There is an excitement in falling into a new project and talking through new ideas with other creatives. I believe that artists have to have an extreme amount of passion in order to follow this lifestyle. Maybe the idea of the stability of a 9-5 has its appeals sometimes, but the idea of not being able to create constantly within my work space feels out of the question to me. I’ve always known I wanted to go into the arts and so far, I’ve been making it work and I love what I get to do each and every day.

Lauren C., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve known I wanted to be an artist since I made a paper snowflake in preschool. As I got older I managed to continue this dream and received my Bachelor of Science and Arts from UW-Madison in printmaking and glass-working along with degrees in environmental science and german. I then went on to get my MFA in printmaking from the University of Arizona in 2021. My art practice revolves around documenting and archiving the histories of the community work spaces I occupy. I believe that the arts are very community driven. Within my own art practice, I focus on communal spaces such as the studios I work and teach in. I believe that objects hold memory more distinctly than people do. Through careful observation I attempt to understand and discover the world and lives of those around me. In taking long durations of time to truly look, I can begin to uncover the history of the spaces I occupy, the people who were once present and are currently using these spaces, and I can begin to question my existence and lack of permanence within my current surroundings. I can allow people a closer look at the intricacies of the world around us. I aim to give a glimpse at the history surrounding us and the traces of our existence.
My practice mainly revolves around printmaking and glass-working. I engrave plexiglass and 3/8” thick glass plates to create most of my work. These two forms of printmaking are known as intaglio and vitreography. Vitreography is one of the rarest forms of printmaking as it requires both glass engraving tools and printmaking tools. There are only a few studios in the world that work with this matrix. I truly enjoy the glass and acrylic plates due to the ability to peer through the surface, reflect shadows/light from the objects, and create prints on paper with them. The versatility of these materials are really enamoring to me.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

There’s a number of ways to support creatives and artists. An obvious one is to buy someone’s art. I strongly suggest supporting local artists as well as purchasing large or small items from artists when possible. However, this can be challenging depending on a persons budget. When purchasing art is not possible for someone, the next best thing in my opinion is to show up for your local artists. This includes art shows in private studios, galleries, and museums as well as at open air community events such as street fairs or other creative spaces. Art is everywhere. In the clothing we wear, the music we listen to, the shows we watch, the books we read, and the art that makes up our homes. It is important to be present for your local art community and to share artists work with friends or on social media as it allows the artist to potentially reach new eyes and therefore gain new opportunities. Most opportunities come from making connections and being present in your community. Art promotes culture, creativity, and social work. Art is capable of spreading knowledge and giving voice to people and advocacy for campaigns for a number of causes. It is a way of preserving cultural heritage and documenting significant moments in history. Along with this, art fosters creativity and supports innovation. In showing up for your creative community, you show up for your at large community. When you foster a supportive environment for artists to push for new and better opportunities your overall community is better supported as well.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to communicate with so many different people. I create my work, display it, and end up meeting so many people from different backgrounds that have different views of my work. It is remarkable to me to be able to connect with people and find joy in the act of creating and being present with the art. I am drawn to the communal aspects of both printmaking and glass-working. In glassblowing you almost always work with at least one other person. In printmaking, the equipment needed is usually hard to have in a personal studio so you work in communal print shops that are filled with other printmakers who share ideas, techniques, and opportunities. I love to create and to work with my hands. Working alongside other people while doing this labor is rewarding in ways I can only begin to explain. To be surrounded by people who also have the innate need to create fosters incredible discussions and friendships. The connections you create with other artists as well as people who enjoy art is astounding. I’m so grateful for all of the people I’ve worked alongside and been supported by over the years. The connections I’ve made are very much so the most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lauren-steinert.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: @lauren.c.steinert

Image Credits
Tehan Ketema