Today we’d like to introduce you to Steenz Stewart.
Hi, Steenz; we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been interested in art. My parents and family were very encouraging, buying supplies and getting how to draw books from the library. By the time I was in high school, I was taking every art class they had to offer. When I went to school at Maryville University, there weren’t many specialized options, but within the Studio Art program, I learned figure drawing, painting, and color theory. Everyone needs to have a base knowledge of art. But without guidance on career options outside of “gallery artist,” I decided it’d be best to drop out. I started working jobs here and there at Victoria’s Secret and The Hallmark Store. Eventually, I landed at Star Clipper. A local comic book store in the Delmar Loop. While I was working there, I read hundreds of comics. I was organizing comics-related events and interacting with other comic book retailers. Eventually, I saw a name on a comic that I recognized. Brittney Williams! I’d been following them online and knew they were also Black and Femme. That’s when it clicked that I should be trying to make comics as my career.
From there, I started working with the local comic team Ink and Drink Comics. I learned the basics of comic making, how to work with others, and how to format pages for print. I started making my short comics as well while working at the shop. That’s when Ivy Noelle Weir asked if I’d like to make a webcomic with her. We had been friendly online since we both worked in comic book stores. From there, our friendship (and creative partnership) began! While we worked on that first webcomic, I moved to work at The St. Louis Public Library. And what a coincidence! Ivy also moved to work at her local library. We saw Oni Press making open submissions for comic pitches and thought, ‘What’s the harm.’ If we didn’t get in, we’d publish online anyway. So, we had nothing to lose by pitching the comic. The comic was picked up! And so the creation of Archival Quality began. Meanwhile, I continued creating comics-related programming. Like Comics University, The SLPL Mini Comic Con, and more. While I worked on the book, I made another career change and started working at Lion Forge—a local comics publisher in St. Louis. I started with Social Media and then moved on to editorial. Working in editorial opened up a whole new world for me. I already had experience with event planning from working at the comic shop and library, so I had a lot of connections with people who wanted to get into comics. With editorial, I could help others craft their stories and be the open door to the industry.
Archival Quality was released, and we’d been making smaller comics in the meantime, and my editorial chops were getting better and better. Eventually, I left Lion Forge in a company merger. But things were still okay! I got an agent and started doing freelance work: Pitch evaluations, comic series editorials, magazine illustrations, comics for news companies, and even teaching at Webster University.
With all this time on my hands, I decided to start making more of my comics. I was tabling at shows, talking to editors, making connections (as usual). From that, I ended up being Shena Wolf. She thought I’d be a good fit for taking over the long-running syndicated comic strip Heart of The City.
And that’s where we are today! I’ve worked on Heart of The City for the past 4 years. I teach at Webster University and the School of Visual Arts. I also edit comics with small publishers and individuals. I’m also now the board president of SLICE: the St. Louis Independent Comics Expo! So keep an eye out for our new slate of 2024 programming!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always struggles when figuring out your place in the world. There have been times when I’ve thought, “Do I know what I’m doing?” It can be hard to feel legitimate when I’m a college dropout. But I have a boatload of experience in the industry. I’ve made award-winning comics. I’ve made successful events. I do know what I’m doing!
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a cartoonist, editor, and professor. I’m known for my work on the award-winning graphic novel Archival Quality, the overwhelmingly successful TTRPG Magazine Rolled & Told, and the syndicated comic strip I’ve been drawing for the past four years: Heart of the City. I’m proud of my work but most proud of the nine years I’ve been running Comics University. It’s a program near and dear to my heart, and I’ve made many friends and colleagues from the program. What sets me apart from others? Hard to say! I do much of the same stuff as other cartoonists, editors, and professors. But I do it all at the same time! I have excellent time management skills.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
Reading helps a lot! I borrow books from my local library. Both physical and digital (like from Hoopla). I’m reading Blue Period, a manga about a high schooler interested in attending Tokyo’s most demanding art school. I use digital art programs for all of my comics. I used a Wacom Cintiq and Clip Studio Paint. Occasionally, I use Photoshop, but Clip Studio is much better for comics. I also subscribe to Publishers Marketplace. As an editor and mentor, it’s a great resource because I can see what titles are being sold, what agents are selling books, and what new publishers are popping up!
Contact Info:
- Website: oheysteenz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oheysteenz/
Image Credits
Steenz Stewart, Jin Park
