Artist based in the Bronx, NY
Steve DeFrank, Portrait of the Artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I have nine siblings, and I’m the seventh son. Standing out was not exactly encouraged by the math. Then, when I was seven, I discovered I could draw. Suddenly I had a thing. It was mine, and better yet, people noticed.
I threw myself into learning how to draw and paint. I was shocked to discover there were actual schools for this. You could go somewhere, make art all day, and somehow call it an education. I found my tribe and never really left.
Family photograph, 1 of 9 siblings
I still feel incredibly lucky. I get to do what I want every day, although “want” can be a flexible term when a painting is making me insane. Some days I’m pulling my hair out. Other days I’m walking on clouds. There is very little middle ground.
I live in New York City, surrounded by a gazillion people, galleries, museums, noise, ambition, and overpriced coffee. It can be exhausting, but as they say in Spanish, vale la pena. It’s worth the pain.
Grid Group 2023/26,casein on panel, each panel is 12" x 9" x 2"
“I’m working on listening to the painting instead of myself. I’m trying to let the paintings lead me . . . I want to give the odd decisions more room . . . the work right now is really about getting out of my own way.”
Left: Heaven 2026 Acrylic and colored pencil on canvas 13 x 14 in. Right: Love you a lot 2026 Acrylic and colored pencil on canvas 40 x 48 in
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
Right now, I’m working on listening to the painting instead of myself. I’m trying to let the paintings lead me, which is scary as hell because I have trust issues. At times, they seem to want the strangest things, and my first instinct is to fix them, organize them, or make them behave.
I’m trying to resist that. I want to give the odd decisions more room and let the painting become something I didn’t already know how to make. For me, the work right now is really about getting out of my own way.
Disanthropomorphized, 2024, casein on panel, 20" x 20" x 2"
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I look and I listen.
In the studio
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
Television.
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
Drawing is my introduction and I work and rework the ideas and then get it all wrong when I start painting. My style is just like me: goofy and sharp. It's the contradiction that is interesting to me.
Work in progress, studio view
Many artists live by their routines and rituals, what do they look like for you?
The minute I walk into my studio, I turn on WNYC and never turn it off. If you were to ask me what was just said on the radio I would never know.
Left: Glyphic, 2025, casein on panel, 40" x 30" x 2" Right: Back door to Now, 2025, casein on panel, 40" x 30" x 2"
Who are your biggest influences?
Looney Toons, Early Walt Disney, Greek and Roman statues, they were sexy, Fairfield Porter, Elizabeth Murray, All the graffiti that I have seen all over the globe.
Graffiti, sources of inspiration
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
I'm a science fiction nut. Thinking the impossible is a source of inspiration.
How will Innovate Grant contribute to your practice?
It will allow me to properly document my paintings and a boost to my ego.
Clyptographic, 2026, casein on panel, 12" x 9" x 2"
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Stop thinking!
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
It's a quote from RuPaul, "What other people think of me is none of my business.
Installation view
Stay up to date with Steve DeFrank
Website stevedefrank.com
Instagram @stevedefrank