01.24.2012

Steven Riddle

Baltimore, MD | by Victoria Greising

January 24, 2012

Steven Riddle is a Baltimore artist and proud of it.  Included on the coveted list of Nudashank’s artists, Steven not only embraces the Baltimore scene but thrives in it.
I first met Steven through a mutual friend at a party almost a year ago.  I was immediately intrigued by his wit and overall disposition. Through the omnipresence of Facebook in modern day networking, Steven and I became friends.  When I finally clicked the link to his website, I was pleasantly impressed.  Initially taken by the color, Steven’s collages peaked my curiosity and I had to know more.  Ostensibly his works read somewhat like hand made, neon-colored eye spy puzzles, but with further investigation they stand up to the interest of the viewer revealing more with a longer look.
TSV video editor, Emily Biondo, and I made the trek up to Baltimore on a Sunday afternoon.  Luckily, we hit no traffic between the District and Steven’s studio and surprisingly arrived right on time.  Steven met us out front and jovially escorted us up the stairs to his studio toward the back of the building.  Steven’s workspace, as one might expect, is full of color.  Paint and cut outs cover the walls, a box full of paper and a variety of in-process pieces surround his worktable.  The space is clearly active and well used—Steven, admittedly, spends more time in his studio that in his apartment.
Steven makes collages, a term he intentionally decided to embrace when referring to his work.  Though, his painting background is apparent in his color construction and also in his compositions.  The pieces range from small still lives, to large abstractions, and soon to be full room installations.  His work comfortably contextualizes itself in the contemporary painting dialogue.  He exclusively uses hand painted paper, original textures, etc.— never…

Steven Riddle Video