Kathleen Steegmans
Kathleen Steegmans (b. 1975, Belgium) is a figurative artist based in Antwerp. Her vibrant mixed-media paintings, often portraying strong yet vulnerable women, explore themes of self-reflection, transformation, and empowerment. Through layers of color, glitter, and glossy epoxy resin, her work invites viewers to look beyond the surface and connect with their own inner strength and potential.
After graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in 1998, Kathleen didn’t believe it was possible to make a living as an artist. She worked in various creative industries, co-founded a design agency, and learned everything about visual communication, marketing, and entrepreneurship—skills that later became invaluable when she decided to follow her true calling.
The turning point came after the loss of her parents, which inspired her to question what truly mattered. Step by step, she returned to her artistic roots, combining her passion for art with her knowledge of business and personal growth. Since 2019, she has been working full-time as an independent artist, organizing her own exhibitions and collaborating with other artists.
In addition to creating art, Kathleen shares her experience through workshops, online courses, and her (Dutch) podcast De Kunstacademie 2.0, where she inspires other artists to build sustainable, fulfilling creative careers.
Her mission is simple yet profound: to make the world a little more beautiful, one artwork, one conversation, and one act of courage at a time.
Contact
https://www.kathleensteegmans.be
hello@kathleensteegmans.be
@kathleensteegmans
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
I have a strong urge to make everything around me beautiful because beauty brings me calm and balance in a busy world. I’m inspired by the people I meet, their stories, and the complexity of the female experience. Through my work, I explore strength and vulnerability, always searching for honesty and connection.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
My mission is to feel as free as possible in a modern world and to inspire others to do the same — to choose what makes them truly happy. That sense of freedom influences everything I create. I’m currently redefining my process and materials to keep that creative freedom alive, moving away from epoxy resin to explore more intuitive and expressive techniques.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
Since being diagnosed with ADHD at 49, I’ve learned to honor my natural rhythms — to create when inspiration strikes instead of forcing structure. I stay focused by combining different creative outlets: painting, collage, design, and video. Shifting between these mediums keeps me energized and helps ideas flow naturally.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
Keep going, even when it feels uncomfortable. Growth happens the moment you step outside your comfort zone — that’s where the magic begins.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I hope my work inspires others to believe in their dreams and to build a life that feels true to who they are. If my art encourages even one person to follow their joy, I’ve succeeded.
