I paint because I love how a brush feels in my hand, and how colors blend, merge, and dance together on the canvas. The process of creating a painting is as important to me as the final result. Through complex layers of images, paints, and glazes I explore intimate moments as well as global concerns.

I am profoundly effected by events and the cultural sub-currents of our time. The lives of women, parenting issues, children, and our connection to our mother planet are my passions. At times my subject matter seems dark, but I have always looked at the world through rose-colored glasses, so each observation tends to have a humorous side. I believe we should not take ourselves too seriously.

Artists influencing my work include:
Early Artists - Leonardo DaVinci, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio (their use of glazes, chiascuro, and sfumato)
Modern Artists - Jackson Pollock and Kandinski (balance & composition)
Franz Marc and Turner (color)

Education

Drake University, Bachelor of Fine Arts 1999 (magna cum laude)

Relevant Art Experience

East Village Art Coalition (EVAC) Vice-President, Board of Directors (Since 2004)

Self-employed Artist (since 1999)

Installation, maintenance, and public relations of solo exhibitions

Entrepreneur (company founded in March 2001)

nvirofunc (designing and building furniture from found items)

Drawing Instructor (2001) West Des Moines Community School District Adult Education

Original Member 218 ½ Paint pushers (2001 to 2002)

Anderson Gallery, Drake University (1997 to 1999)

Installing and striking exhibitions, gallery monitor, collection maintenance, lighting

Exhibitions (solo shows)

2005 EVAC presents “New Works by Steph Van Doren“, Des Moines, Iowa

2003 Zanzibars, Des Moines, Iowa

2000 Borders Book Store, Des Moines, Iowa

2000 Java Joes, Des Moines, Iowa

2000 Grounds for Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa

1999 BFA Exhibit, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa

Exhibitions (juried and/or commissioned)

2005 “Experiencing God”, Plymouth Congregational Church

2004 1 st Annual Studio Crawl - Metro Arts Alliance (invitational)

2004 East Village Art Market, Des Moines, Iowa (juried)

2004 “Big and Small Show” presented by EVAC (juried)

2004 Valley Junction Art Festival (juried)

2003 “Mystics“, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines Iowa (commissioned)

2003 East Village Art Market, Des Moines, Iowa (juried)

2003 Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa (juried)

2001-2003 Independent Thought Gallery, Valley Junction, Iowa (juried)

2001 and 2002 Kirkwood Hotel, 218 ½ Paintpushers (group show)

2001 and 2002 218 ½ Paintpushers (group show)

2000 “The Way of the Cross“, Westminster Presbyterian Church (commissioned)

1999 Iowa State Fair (juried)

1999 Iowa College Salon XXI, Ames, Iowa (juried by Charles Eldredge Hall)

1999 Drake University Student Show, Des Moines, Iowa (juried by Maggie Skove)

1999 Womyn's Week Exhibition, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa (invitation)

1998 Drake University Student Show, Drake University (juried by M. Jessica Rowe)

1998 Womyn's Week Exhibition, Drake University (invitation)

Collections

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino

Iowa State Historical Society Museum (on loan 2002-2004)

List of other private collections available upon request

Awards and Honors

Second Prize, painting, Iowa College Salon XXI, Ames, Iowa, 1999

Robert D. Blue Scholarship (based on academic excellence)