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. The ocean and her creatures have always been her companions.
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 MS in art education 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, and it is these memories that drive a lot of my work.
Experiences
SHOWS
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. Created and nurtured community partnerships, WorkAbility1, art instruction & curriculum and so much more.
*All original artwork and images are the property of Francziska Steagall. *Any unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.