Steph Hagens is a full time mixed media artist and creative consultant. A native of Denver, North Carolina, Steph has been creating art since childhood and was motivated by her friends and family to pursue her passion as a career. Steph gained a BA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina in 2007, where she specialized in Figure Drawing. Before moving to Madison, WI in 2015, Steph had a 9-year career in the film industry as an Illustrator and Costumer. She has created custom art for characters played by Sophia Bush, Viola Davis, Chloë Grace Moretz, Alec Baldwin, and Christopher Lloyd. Continuing education has served an important role in advancing Steph’s career. She has been included in the No Boundaries International Artist Colony, pursued continuing studies in figure drawing, graphics, and metal smithing at both UW- Madison and Madison Area Technical College, and served as a career advisor for the MATC Fashion Merchandising Program. Steph is a 2019 graduate of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Upstart Program, an entrepreneurship program for women and people of color that equips participants with the tools needed to launch or expand their business venture.

Using found materials in her mixed media art and salvaged objects that would otherwise be thrown out, Steph’s work encourages sustainability with a focus on the female form, fashion, and a strong connection to nature. She resides in downtown Madison where she enjoys summertime festivals, walks along the lakefront with her husband, and sampling the finest cheese Wisconsin has to offer. Her original work can be found in public and private collections throughout the US, UK, China, Finland, and Germany.