Sixteen Questions: Steph Reiman
An interview series
In one of my recent interviews I mentioned meeting a guest through a web of friend introductions. Friends of friends have become friends of mine and my world has been filled with talented and kind people. Todays guest is the same story. Steph Reiman is a collage artist, musician, and the co-owner of Weak Coffee (alongside her husband Nate Knox, Sixteen Question alumni).
Steph is one of the most kind and supportive people I know. If you ever find yourself at their house you won’t make it out without an ice cold La Croix or her offering to make you food. She keeps the spirit of fun and adventure alive and always considers others. There are a lot of things she’s really great at but one thing I’m sure all of her friends would agree on is that she’s a master at being a good friend. Here are her sixteen answers.
What‘s your go-to coffee order?
Whole milk cappuccino unless there is a very fun seasonal, then I obviously have to try it
If there was a Steph Reiman starter pack, what would be in it?
Water bottle + reusable coffee mug
Kindle/book
Black .5 sharpie s gel pen (or any black pen, I am not actually that picky)
Crossword puzzles
Mini jigsaw puzzle
Something to share
It's all inside a Steph Blue tote bag of course (aka klein blue)
What are your top five Trader Joe’s snacks?
Unexpected cheddar
Rice Cracker Medley
Dark Choco PB cups
White cheddar puffs
Coconut Strips
Who’s your favorite artist? (Dead or Alive)
Wow this is a HARD question. Right now I'd choose Christo and Jeanne-Claude. They were a husband and wife duo who made large scale site specific art installations together and the way they were able to transform a landscape is so thoughtful and wonderful to me. Honestly now that I'm thinking about it and looking at their work again, I probably love them because their edits to the landscape can give a sort of surreal collage effect like what I try to make in my art. Adding or covering an element in a way that forces you to rethink that you thought about a space.
Runner up is John Baldessari! His use of negative space, text, and found images in his work is really fun and felt so new for his time. I am really inspired by the way he played with shape and color and have made a few of my own sketches inspired by his art. Also, in 1970 he burned everything he had made in his first fifteen years of art making in a crematorium and that is so wild and hardcore to me.
What’s your favorite collage you’ve made recently?
So hard to choose but probably Dream House - I want to live there.
Gold or silver jewelry?
I lean gold but I wear anything that feels fun to me and I mix metals because BREAK THE RULES.
Whats your favorite art museum?
I have only been to a handful of the ones on my list, but so far I've really loved the Whitney in NYC.
Hoodies or sweatshirts?
Sweatshirts.
Whats your favorite thing to listen to while you’re making a new piece?
If I'm listening to a good audio book that can be fun, otherwise music that I can sing to or Gilmore Girls playing in the background ;)
What’s your favorite city to visit?
At this point I think New York City. I love the pace and the endlessness of it, but I really haven't traveled that much yet so I think my favorite city is still waiting for me.
What’s a movie, album, and book you’re loving at the moment?
Just rewatched A Knights Tale and it is a perfect film, no notes.
I have really been enjoying Lizzy McAlpine's last album Older. Really gets you extra in your feels if you listen on an airplane so BEWARE.
I am reading the Hunger Games Series for the first time and having a great time - about to start book 3!
What does your ideal morning look like?
Wake up preferably RIGHT before my alarm because it makes me feel cool and on top of life, fill two mugs with coffee, and sit on the porch with Nate and my book. After a while, a neighbor joins us with their empty coffee mug to fill and sit for a while - no where to be!
What does your ideal evening look like?
A walk with a friend before the sun sets, make dinner and eat it on my porch, and catch up on a show or parallel studio time with Nate :)
What are two things that are out and two things that are in?
Out: Leggings and cancelling plans.
In: Decaf with dessert and pillow talk.
What’s inspiring you most right now?
Some minor chord inversions and the A7b9 chord on the piano.
The giant bumble bees obsessing over my basil that's gone to flower.
Watching my friends grow up.
What are you working on right now?
Currently I'm working on having more grace for myself when I'm not creating as much as I feel I should be. Trying to be ok flowing with inspiration and energy when I have it, and not beating myself up when I don't.
Also working on being ok with feeling sadness. It's so scary to me.
Steph's work is so incredibly good UGH.