Kristin Marie Steinke

Year of birth: 1969
Where do you live: Bend, Oregon
Your education: M.F.A., Academy of Art University, San Francisco
Describe your art in three words: Bold, Joyful, Kind
Your discipline: I have no discipline—I just make art in whatever way the mood demands.

Watercolor is one of your foundational mediums—how does that influence your digital work?

I love the fluidity of watercolor—the way pigment, brush, water, and paper all interact. I often start each collection with a brainstorming session or mind map, sketching and playing with storyline ideas. Watercolor usually comes next because it satisfies that tactile craving to hold a brush and play with color. After painting, I scan my work and manipulate it digitally in Photoshop and Procreate. That lets me paint messy and freely—I don’t worry about drips or pencil lines because I can refine later. For Allyship in Color, my palette was actually inspired by my paints—Opera Pink is a personal favorite. Even though this collection is fully digital, the spirit of watercolor is in every layer.

Why did you choose a risograph-inspired aesthetic for this digital collection?

I’ve always been drawn to vintage aesthetics, and risograph printing has that perfectly retro vibe. On a recent tour of California College of the Arts—where my kid is studying illustration—I got to see the real machines, huge ink drums, and the time-consuming, beautiful mess of the process. I was instantly hooked. I don’t have access to a risograph machine, but I knew I had to channel that energy into a digital collection inspired by the look, feel, and joyful imperfection of risograph prints.

Kristin Steinke | Rise | 2025

How does the natural environment around Bend, Oregon influence your color choices and visual style?

Bend is a beautiful, sunny place—high desert, full of nature and craft beer! But while I enjoy kayaking the Deschutes or soaking in mountain lake views, I’m not exactly outdoorsy. My happy place is sitting in a Paris or Florence café, people-watching and absorbing the world’s colors and textures. Living in such a quiet place gives me mental space to create, while my art becomes the colorful, expressive outlet I crave. I travel often to stay inspired, but coming home to the stillness of Bend helps me center and recharge.

What role do your dogs and your home studio play in your creative process?

My studio is my happy place. I turned a spare bedroom into a creative sanctuary that’s colorful, messy, and ever-changing—right now, the walls are pink! I have three dedicated work zones: one for painting, one for iPad sketching, and one for computer work. That structure keeps my creative flow moving. And my dogs? They’re everything. Their snoring keeps me company, and their internal clocks keep me grounded—they make sure I take breaks, go on walks, and stop working when it’s time to play or rest. Who needs a watch when you have a dog?

Kristin Steinke | Love | 2025

Your work bursts with color and texture—how do you approach building a composition from scratch?

I usually begin with mind mapping—just writing out phrases, emotions, or themes that feel important. For Allyship in Color, I asked myself, “What does being an ally mean to me?” The answers came fast. My challenge was to stay hopeful and loving. Anger is easy—but I wanted this series to be an open-armed embrace for a community that’s feeling vulnerable. The risograph-inspired look guided my color choices—bold, bright, and grounded in tradition, but turned up in saturation and spirit.

Kristin Steinke | Safe space | 2025

Many of your pieces incorporate bold typography. What draws you to text as a visual element?

This is actually my first full collection where text takes center stage. I felt a deep need to say something, not just suggest it. Symbolism wasn’t enough—I wanted these pieces to speak directly to both allies and LGBTQIA+ folks. I wanted to create mantras for allies who may not know what to say and visual declarations of love and solidarity for those who need to hear it.

If viewers take away one thing from your work, what do you hope it is?

Allyship matters. Say it out loud. Show up. Be seen loving loudly.