Area artist creates using found objects

Rochelle Steffen has been a part of First Friday for a long time. Her work has been in nearly every local gallery and has featured a variety of subject matters. But even though she has many fans of her work, she has never had her own show … until now.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will be hosting Steffen and local mixed-media artist Elizabeth Thomas this month. Their First Friday reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. today. Steffen, a member of the Visual Arts Cooperative, focused her creative energy on producing sculptural and three-dimensional pieces from "found" objects for this exhibition.

"Her work is absolutely fantastic and refreshing. You can see her wonderful sense of humor in everything she creates," said Murielle Wyman, director of the arts council. "She plays around with everything she finds, and ends up with pieces that reflect her sense of irony. Her exhibit is quite a collection of curiosities and pretty experimental, but also really fun."

These found objects often come from Steffen's personal excursions and include pieces of driftwood, old toys and old metal pieces. Steffen will also be displaying a variety of "Modifieds," which are toys that she has deconstructed into sculptural pieces.

SELive had the pleasure of sitting down with Steffen and picking her brain about art, animals and what really annoys her.

Artwork by Rochelle Steffen will be on display at the Arts Council in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

SELive: So what gave you the inspiration for the pieces in your show?

Steffen: Mostly I just question things, processes and get ideas. If I find a piece of wood and see a finished item in it -- the wood gun in the show is a good example -- then I problem solve until I get to the finished product with that piece of wood. If I hear of a different type of process that seems cool, I want to try it. Resin is a process that I am still trying to figure out, and it drives me crazy that I haven't yet.

SELive: I know your show is based on art you've made from found objects. How did you go about finding these things and turning them into art?

Artwork by Rochelle Steffen will be on display at the Arts Council in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Steffen: I love to explore, anywhere and everywhere. I get goofy excited to see a new Dumpster to dive in or a new place to search for plywood, 2x4s or other treasures. I also scour the side of the Mississippi River looking for any cool pieces of driftwood that make me happy. People also like to give me stuff or grab things out of the trash for me. But I look down a lot, and I wear shorts with lots of pockets specifically for picking up anything discarded, rusty or broken that catches my eye.

SELive: You've been a very active artist around here for many years. How exciting is it to finally have your own show? Why do you think it hasn't happened before?

Artwork by Rochelle Steffen will be on display at the Arts Council in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Steffen: I feel like it is very important to have this particular show. When you think of the arts in Cape, I know I think about the arts council. So to finally have this show is pretty exciting. And to share the second space with Elizabeth Thomas, who I think is one of Cape's most awesome artists, is great. I just think timing or random circumstances have kept me from this showing space in particular, but I am going to make up for lost time with all the new pieces I am showing.

SELive: I know you are a big animal lover, especially pit bulls. Did this love have an effect on the art you made?

Steffen: It does. If it isn't specifically dog-related artwork, then the overall reason is for my rescued 16-month-old pit bull Mac. He was diagnosed with pretty severe hip dysplasia, so I have a savings fund set up in which any art sales go toward saving up for his future hip replacement.

SELive: Some people look for art to make a certain statement. What statement does your art make?

Steffen: I hate that word, "statement." My art is made because I love to make art. I don't want someone to look at my "statement" or a title first just to understand my stuff. Look at it yourself and feel whatever it makes you feel. Art is subjective.

Artwork by Rochelle Steffen will be on display at the Arts Council in downtown Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

SELive: What is your ultimate goal for this show?

Steffen: Honestly, two things. I hope people enjoy seeing this wide variety of art and walk away talking or thinking about my stuff, and I hope to have a sell-out for Mac. That would probably be the big goal.

SELive: Final question: Tell the people why they need to come to your show.

Steffen: This show will be like going to a multiple-artist show. There is something for everyone, and the art is pretty awesome. From toy modified creatures, to found wood rockets, to a giant painting of a serial killer, there is so much to take in.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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