Randy Steinke
Randy Steinke is a figurative expressionist painter whose work is defined by bold color, emotional energy, and dynamic compositions. Originally introduced to painting and art history in college, Randy returned to art full-time following a life-changing injury that reignited his creative path. Influenced by the portraiture and vibrant palettes of Henri Matisse and André Derain, Randy focuses on refining his approach to painting faces, hands, and complex backgrounds. He has exhibited his work in Denver, California, and along the East Coast, and continues to explore expressive color and form in contemporary figurative art.
Oil on Canvas 36"x48" 2025
Oil on Canvas 30"x40" 2025
Oil on Canvas 36"x48" 2025
The Joy of Color and the Courage to Begin Again: The Artistic Journey of Randy Steinke
Randy Steinke’s path to becoming a full-time artist was anything but conventional. It was born not in the studios of art school or from a lifelong ambition—but rather, through the quiet resilience that followed a life-altering injury.
Five years ago, Randy broke his back. What followed were two major surgeries, long months of rehabilitation, and the slow process of rediscovering movement, strength, and meaning. “During my recovery at home, I found myself watching mindless television,” he recalls. “I had some oil pastels and paper on hand, so I decided to reconnect with my artistic side and began creating artwork.” Those first strokes—tentative yet vital—became the beginning of a renewed journey into art. Four years ago, he made the bold decision to pursue painting full-time.
Though Randy had studied the foundations of art in college—painting, drawing, sculpture, color theory, and art history—it wasn’t until he returned to the canvas during recovery that he truly began to shape his identity as a painter. Now, his work is unmistakably expressive: bold, figurative, and grounded in emotion. Drawing inspiration from Henri Matisse and André Derain, Randy embraces vivid color, playful composition, and joyful subjects—particularly, as he describes it, “happy, laughing women.”
His style is rooted in figurative expressionism, using color and shape to transform the everyday into visual poetry. “When I look at the world around me, I see shapes emerging from textures, colors, and the play of light and shadow,” he explains. Each piece begins with a photograph—always one he’s taken himself—then gradually evolves through deliberate choices in composition and color. “The first color introduced often leads to the discovery of others, with each one influencing the rest in a delicate balance.”
For Randy, painting is an experiment—an open-ended exploration of feeling, form, and color. “My proudest achievement,” he says, “is always my next painting.” His goal isn’t fame or commercial success. Instead, he defines success as “making progress in all areas of my creative journey,” and he continues to refine his techniques—particularly in painting faces, hands, and the spaces that surround his subjects. In his process, Randy welcomes failure—not as a setback, but as a sign of movement. “Failure is a hallmark of success,” he reflects. “I am embracing failure to evolve into a successful artist.” This honest, experimental approach keeps his work alive and evolving, free from the constraints of market demands. “I create art for myself,” he says. “Whether people like my work or not is not my main concern. My true joy comes from the act of creating; I simply love to paint.”
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This authenticity extends to how he engages with the art world. While Randy’s work has been exhibited across Denver, California, and the East Coast, he’s not driven by trends or sales. He stays grounded by immersing himself in the work of others—visiting museums, studying art history, and collecting books that spark curiosity. All these influences, he says, “swirl around in my mind and influence my creative process, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously.”
To emerging artists, Randy offers the most honest advice there is: “Show up and get to work.” It’s a reminder that art doesn’t make itself, and that consistency, patience, and curiosity are far more important than talent alone. “I often experience periods of self-doubt and uncertainty,” he admits, “but I remind myself that this too shall pass.” His voice, like his paintings, is vibrant yet unpretentious—full of warmth, integrity, and a willingness to keep learning. As he continues to explore the boundaries of composition and color, Randy is building a body of work that reflects not only artistic skill, but personal resilience and joy.
In a world often obsessed with speed and outcome, Randy Steinke’s story is a beautiful reminder that creativity thrives when we give it space, attention, and love.