Kinda Sweet, Kinda Savage
Francziska Steagall signs artwork as ‘Franja’ (pronounced fronya).
Born in Southern California, Francziska’s lifelong connection to the water began with her very first steps on a small sailboat bound for Santa Catalina Island.
She loves and promotes paddleboarding, and completed the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race in 2024.
Settling in El Segundo 37 years ago, she has built a creative career that bridges digital design and fine art. Known for exhibiting her work in local galleries and designing pieces for ocean races, she views the sea as more than just a subject; it is her playground, an obsession, and the driving force of her creativity. Armed with an advanced degree in instructional theory, she also channels her knowledge into teaching.
Francziska possesses a Masters of Science as an Education Specialist and spent 35 years teaching and administrating at an exemplar special education school creating a world class enrichment program.
Introducing Francziska…
Q & A with Franja:
What in your childhood supported your artistic drive?
The dream always was to be a full time artist. Memories from my childhood, swimming in the ocean and exploring the Channel Islands – always careful to keep the parents boat in sight in case they called me back by running the “F” flag (international maritime signal flags) up the mast – drive creativity. I have always loved making things and carved fish out of soap bars on long crossings. I was lucky to have shop classes in middle school- wood, metal, electric, drafting; and high school-auto, crafts & ceramics. Those classes supported handiwork development & changed everything.
What artists, past or present, have inspired you?
The unapologetic boldness and outlines of German Expressionist Max Beckman always called to me. Other artists whose work I admire include Katsushika Hokusai, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Francoise Gilot, Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein, Bernard Hoyes and Keith Haring. I am also a huge fan of murals and mosaics of all kinds.
What else should we know about you?
I was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2025. What followed were 2 slow Mohs procedures that removed a lot of skin from the center of my face really quickly. I had to manage the hole for 8 days waiting for plastic surgery. Being too large for a skin graph from my clavicle, a forehead flap was the best option in order for the graph to not be rejected. That surgery removed skin from my forehead and twisted it down and anchored it onto my nose, where all the skin had been removed (except the bridge and tip.) That “trunk” was with me for 4 weeks and was also exposing a nerve. Another surgery disconnected the trunk and the graph was on it’s own . Staples and stitches were eventually removed. Swelling should be done in 18 months, so there is hope for improvement. I’m left with a major loss of feeling and control of my face above my left eye. After all the scabs healed we started a topical chemotherapy cream to attack and kill the remaining cancer. That took another 7 months with lots of scabs again. For now, we think it has remedied the situation. This experience is starting to show up in my artwork.
MEMBERSHIPS
South Bay Artist Collective (SBAC): 2023- Present
Southern California Women Caucus for the Arts (SCWCA): February 2026-Present
Palos Verdes Art Center – Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education: March 2026-Present
EXHIBITIONS
Colors of the Coast (May 23- June 14, 2026) A group exhibit to show the diverse way the colors of the coast can be interpreted. Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
SOTA (May 16, 2026) The yearly fundriaser for Indivisible Arts programs, held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach showcases art from from the South Bay Artist Collective and others who have donated art. I created a candy colored pieces entitled Sherbet Sunset.
Little Gems Show (March 15- March 17, 2026) A group exhibit showcasing the artworks created in the Bob Burridge 5-day workshop. Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
Bob Burridge Workshop (March 11- March 15, 2026) A 5-day workshop. to learn about carrot people, negative painting, composition, and more. Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
Blood Cancer Fundraiser (March 7, 2025) TA new fundraiser for Indivisible Arts programs, held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach, to raise money for the blood cancer foundation. I donated a piece entitled Hermosa Sunset.
Real & Imagined (March 20 -April 14, 2026) An invitational show case of the work of 5 artists: Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko, Francziska Steagall, Kimie Joe, Rick Dickert & Val Chan. Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
The Start Up Fair (February 28- March 1, 2026) A group exhibit coordniated by Kristine Shoemaker in which she paired 190 artists to create books. Kinney Hotel in Hermosa Beach CA
Gathered In The Moment (January 23- February 23, 2026) A group art show bringing together a group of women artists working across Los Angeles whose practices range from welding to oil painting to printmaking, mixed-media, ceramics, and more. Rather than focusing on a single theme or visual style, the exhibition centers on the act of gathering itself – bringing artists into conversation through shared space and engagement in the city’s artistic community. The artists featured in this exhibition are connected through their involvement in Los Angeles–based art groups, professional organizations, and creative networks. Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
Not Lame Festival (January 9, 2026) A punk rock concert and art show in one. All benefitting the WYG Foundation. Local Collective in Hermosa Beach CA
Guest Artist (December 16, 2025 – May 25, 2026) Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach CA
Mommy Dearest (October 30, 2025) A group art show where artists brought trauma, sarcasm and truth. My piece entitled Family Portrait depicts my brother, mother and me seated around a table with father, arms crossed standing behind as mother pounds her fist on the table. My brother and I are bound and gagged. Held at Not Shockboxx in Hermosa Beach., CA
Rocktober Show (October 18, 2025) A group show of artists, photographers and sculptors based on the theme of rock and it’s various interpretations. My piece, based on the photo by photographer Frank Gargani, was of my old friend, Clyde Grimes. Known as “City Gent’ he was one of the founders and lead guitaist of America’s first Ska band, The Untouchables. Held at Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Plein Air Show (September 27, 2025) A group art showcase of artist who gathered together en plein air two weekends prior. Held at Dorado 806 Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. My piece was entitled Santa Monica on a Cloudy Day.
Water & Wood Show (August 23, 2025) A group art show with over 80 artists from the South Bay Artists Collective and more. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach, Ca. I showed Nose Rider along with 4 pieces in the new blue series: Out Of The Blue (a shark), Deep (a humpback whale), Bubbles (a dolphin) and It’s Okay- I live Here (a thresher shark).
Manhattan Beach Community Art Show (July 25, 2025) The Annual Community Exhibition of art held at the Manhattan Beach Art Center in Manhattan Beach, CA. I showed a giclee of 2 Oystercatchers, that I see on a jetty in Marina Del Rey, CA.
TRYST Alternative Art Fair (July 11-13, 2025) Three floors of the Del Amo Center hosted hundreds of individual artists and art collectives in Torrance, CA. I showed Out Of The Blue, my new great white shark painting, with 4 other artists from the South Bay Artist Collective.
Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Benefiesta (July 12, 2025) This extravaganza is the yearly fundraiser for the JMMF. Held at a private residence in Manhattan Beach, CA, artist show work by invitation only. I showed Nose Rider, a woman gracefully riding the nose of the board through a foamy wave.
SOTA (May 17, 2025) The yearly fundriaser for Indivisible Arts programs, held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach showcases art from over 100 artists from the South Bay who have donated art. I created a piece in conjunction with Walk With Sally incorporating symbols from children dealing with the effects of cancer in their homes called Walk Through It, along with three 16″x20″ pieces Dolphin Community, Hermosa Local 1, Hermosa Local 2, and one other that depicted Catalina Island Undersea.
Symbiosis (April 5, 2025) Symbiosis celebrates the relationships we share. Hosted by Resin Gallery, in Hermosa Beach, CA. I showed a giclee of 2 Oystercatchers, that I see on a jetty in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Love Show (February 22, 2025) This show was created to benefit the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund in cooperation with the Getty Center. Hosted by Resin Gallery, in Hermosa Beach, CA., I showed 4 photos of beach rock and mermaid hair in the shape of hearts.
Volunteer Show (January 10, 2025) Volunteers of Indivisible Arts and the South Bay Artist Collective were hosted by Resin Gallery, in Hermosa Beach, CA. I showed 2 of my gradient square paintings Summer & Spring.
Water & Wood (August 3, 2024)
A group art show with over 100 artists from the South Bay Artists Collective and more. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. Escort was the name of my piece depicting a paddler interacting with dolphin in the ocean.
Game On (June 7, 2024) Having a sports theme, this group art show had 38 artists from the South Bay. Hosted at the Gallery of Hermosa (GOH) in Hermosa Beach. Heart was a piece I created to represent the effort needed for long distance ocean paddling. The paddler depicted is the 5x winner of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.
SOTA (April 20, 2024) Universal Language as the theme for the group art show with over 120 artists from the South Bay donating art to raise money for Indivisible Arts programs. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. Frequensea was a piece I created to reproduce an encounter I had with a blue whale.
Symbiosis (March 9-13, 2024) The Art of Mutualism was a group art show with over 100 artists from the South Bay working in collaboration. Every piece is a collaboration. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. Better Together was a piece I created with my husband showing us paddleboarding together.
Lineages (January 13, 2024) A group art show with over 100 artists from the South Bay Artists Collective and their family members. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. Mirrored Souls is a piece I created with my niece, working 3,000 miles apart, using procreate.
Water & Wood (November 11, 2023)
A group art show with over 100 artists from the South Bay Artists Collective and more. Held at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. Getting After It and One With Water depicts paddlers interacting with the ocean.
Lilith Show (November 3, 2023)
A group art show with 50 women artists from the South Bay. Held at Gallery 208 in Manhattan Beach. California Girlibaldi #2 depicts a mermaid underwater, swaying with the currents.
Surf Art Show (October 3, 2023)
A group art show with a surf focus from artists from the South Bay. Special Guest World Champion Surfer John John Florence. Held at Gallery 208 in Manhattan Beach. Heart depicts a paddleboarder on a dark ocean with the sun rising behind.
Boards Across Hermosa (April, May, June 2022 & January, March 2023 & January 2024) Installation, Receptions & Auction: Painted a used, donated surfboard to celebrate Hermosa Beach, California, for the Leadership Hermosa Beach Class of 2022 project. Salute 16th Street memorializes the historic launch spot for many South Bay paddleboarders. I made 3 skateboards for 2023: Sailors Beware, The Lighthouse & Toro, Toro Taxi.
El Segundo Art Walk (June, July, August 2019)
Three Thursday evenings in the summer. I had a solo site. Each evening had a different focus: Mermaids & Dolphin, Portraits, and Abstracts & Animals.
Hang Twenty: Surfin’ Hermosa (2004) Juried Art Show, Installation & Auction benefiting the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation- Designed and decorated surfboard to Reflect The Color of The Community by covering the board with small mirrored glass squares.
RACE ARTWORK
Hanohano Ocean Challenge Race Artwork (2022 – Present) Created the artwork for the January 29, 2022 race poster, t-shirt, and awards.
Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race (2021 & 2022) Created the artwork for the August race poster and t-shirt.
Crystal Pier Outrigger Race Artwork (2022) Created the artwork for the May 7, 2022 race poster, t-shirt, and awards.
VOLUNTEERING
Community Manager, Indivisible Arts (2024-Present)
Facilitating communication and volunteerism with the South Bay Artist Collective. Art exhibition curation, installation and staffing. Mentoring students exploring the arts.
Race Director, Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race (2012 – 2024)
2004 was the year I took over the timing with my husband. Each year I took more responsibility. I joined the board as a director in 2012.
Adult Partner, Tree Musketeers (1995 – 2010)
Adult partners were there to ensure groups of tree planters followed the directions of the youth leader. The National Society of Arboriculture guidelines were followed. I assisted one of my school students with the illustration of the Autobiography of Marci the Marvelous Tree. I created the artwork for a grant to get trees planted along the median between El Segundo and LAX.
CAREER
Head of Enrichment & Special Projects (1987 – 2021)
Created and implemented integrated thematic instruction in special education across content and subjects as fundamental for curriculum design. Created and nurtured community partnerships, service learning, WorkAbility1, instruction in art, music, dance movement therapy, technology, science, home economics, physical education, team sports & supervised the elementary and middle school educational programs and implementation of individual education plans for each student.
*All original artwork and images are the property of Francziska Steagall. *Any unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.