Introducing Francziska…
Francziska Steagall, who signs artwork as ‘Franja’ (pronounced fronya), is a native of Southern California. Originally from Santa Monica, she now lives in El Segundo. The ocean is both her playground and artistic obsession.
Francziska took her first step on a small sailboat going to Santa Catalina Island. As a child, playing in the ocean and pretending to be a mermaid was the thing loved best.
As an adult, spending as much time in and near the ocean is still the thing loved best. Creating ocean themed art connects passions. She loves and promotes paddleboarding.
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.
Q & A with Franja:
How do you describe your style? If you were to explain what your work was all about to someone who has never seen it before, what would you tell them?
My styles of painting include illustrative and stylized, or loose and bold. While ever evolving, paddleboarding, mermaids and the ocean are central themes in my art. I do investigate political themes at times, incorporating layers of words. I explore color and enjoy metallics in my work.
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.
How would you describe your creative process?
I start with an idea, but sometimes the work takes on its own life and turns down a different path. I am currently in the process of a series of painting that depict life at sea while training for paddleboard races. I have had encounters with wildlife that need to be shared. There are images that obsess me and must come out. Most often, I have worked out the idea in my head many times before “starting.” Sometime I sketch in pencil or pen, other times I work out ideas using Procreate. When working with a client, there is usually a specific request to fulfill.
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 studied art education and spent 37 years teaching art to children and young adults so I could do what I love while still earning a living. Now retired, I am delighted to concentrate on my art full time.
Experiences
Gallery Artist (December 16-Present) Gallery of Hermosa in Hermosa Bech 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, 2023 & 2024) 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. Mentoring students exploring the arts. Volunteering to set up and work art shows.
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.
Francziska's Ocean Art 