Lillian Stephen
5(ish) Questions for is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see our region from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and their outlook on St. Louis.
Meet Lillian Claire Quilty Kane Stephen, (L.C.Q.K.S.) a Belleville native and St. Louis-based artist who honed her skills in Chicago before returning home to build a career in printmaking and textile design. Inspired by the city's supportive art community and affordable living, she maintains a balance between production and experimentation, continuously evolving her craft.
Hi, Lillian, tell us a little about yourself!
I grew up in Belleville and left for Chicago after highschool to go to The School of Art Institute of Chicago. After I graduated, I moved back to St. Louis where I worked for a few different artists as a studio assistant. Every person I worked with had a different way of making art work for them as a career. Those jobs gave me a lot of insight into how to navigate the art world and how I could possibly make a living out of my artwork. When the Covid pandemic started in 2020 the artist I was working for shut down her studio, which allowed me to really start focusing on my own work.
Visual Alphabet Risograph by Lillian Stephen
What drives you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
I love making things. I find making compositions and color and form and putting everything together really satisfying.
How do you push through creative blocks or periods of low motivation?
My workload ebbs and flows throughout the year. A lot of my work is printmaking, so I’m making multiples. There are periods where I’m in production mode, producing as much work as I can for a big show. It’s during the slower months of the year that I can really get creative and start to experiment more. I know that these periods are valuable for me and my work long term to make new things and stretch my brain a little bit. This rhythm of production and experimentation helps keep me from burning out. But, on the occasion I’m really hitting a wall creatively, I just have to take a walk and come back to the thing the next day. Sometimes you have to take a break and look at what you’re working on with fresh eyes.
Photo provided by Lillian Stephen.
Who has been your greatest mentor, and what was the most valuable lesson they taught you?
When I first started designing and screen printing textiles, my sewing knowledge was very limited. Quickly my ideas outpaced my skill level. My friend Frieda was an excellent sewist, so I teamed up with them to help me sew masks with my fabrics during the pandemic. This partnership blossomed into them helping me sew a bunch of different things. Frieda eventually decided to move out of the country, but was so kind and taught me to sew all of the things they had been sewing for me. This was such a gift, and really I can’t thank them enough.
What are some of your goals for the next year, or the next 5 years?
This year I’d like to experiment more and get back into making prints on paper. Last year I started playing with making these embossed collages, and I feel like I was only skimming the surface of possibilities.
What moment or decision has most profoundly changed the trajectory of your life or career?
The choice to move back to St. Louis has probably had the biggest impact on my career. While there might be more job opportunities in bigger cities, St. Louis is a place where you can make your own thing happen. We have a great art community here, and that paired with the relatively low cost of living has made it possible for me to build a career and earn a living through my artwork.
What is a favorite neighborhood or favorite thing about the place you live or work?
I live in Tower Grove South and I really appreciate being able to walk to Tower Grove Park. I love going to the farmers’ market, all of the beautiful pavilions, playing tennis, and just generally enjoying the park.
What inspires you about Saint Louis?
The architecture! St. Louis has such a wealth of beautiful buildings.
What is your current cultural obsession?
I recently got into an internet rabbit hole of Shirley Temple’s art deco glass block playhouse that she had in her backyard. It’s amazing.
Photo provided by Lillian Stephen.
Egg Tote by Lillian Stephen.
About STL.org
Driven by a mission to discover and share our favorite parts of the community, STL.org is a nonprofit effort to advocate, support, and promote creativity in the St. Louis region. Help us by subscribing to our newsletter and YouTube channels, sharing with your friends, and sending us your favorite stories and characters that are enriching our city.
Content and video production are supported by creators and private donors within the St. Louis region. Support local!
