The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond, to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
Katrina Steele
photographerBio
Katrina Steele is a photographer in Knox County, Ohio (northeast of Columbus). She dabbles in many genres but is particularly drawn to images portraying the natural world. Katrina has placed in numerous local competitions, was a 2020 Bryn Du Artist, a 2021 VOICE competition finalist and 2022 VOICE honorable mention, a 2023 Ohio Artist Registry Exhibition artist and is a current Click Pro Elite. Her work has been published in breed industry magazines, humane society newsletters, and state park calendars, and she has volunteered countless hours photographing events for local non profits.
Artist Statement
I have been mulling over how the “who I am (general bio)” thing meshes with the “I am a photographer because” thing. I am a hobbyist photographer from northeast of Columbus, Ohio. I am a wife, a mom of six, a lover of books and music and coffee. Hiking and gardening and spending time outdoors refresh me. Loud groups of people and driving in the city drain me. Photography gives me a way to recharge.
As for the “I am a photographer because” answer, there are a lot of reasons that immediately come to mind. To document my days. To be one who notices. To have something for ME that I love. To share my life with others. To stay connected to family and friends. To do something that lasts. To create. ALL real and true reasons.
On a deeper level, I am a photographer because the world is broken and there is so much ugliness that it’s my small way of fighting back. Kind of a “pushing back the darkness” thing. Yes, there is a time and place for images that reveal the dark side of life, but for my part I can reveal the good and beautiful and true things that offer hope. A quote that has always been a favorite of mine is taken from a song by the late Rich Mullins. He sang, “… there’s so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see, but everywhere I go, I’m looking….” So everywhere I go, I AM looking. I want to be aware. I want to notice. I don’t ever want to lose the awe and wonder and gratefulness that the Creator of the Universe made so many amazing and beautiful and glorious things that are all around. Yes, the sunrises and sunsets, the grand vistas, the crashing seas and majestic mountains for sure. But also the newborn lambs in the pasture. The buds on the maple tree. The sparrows in the nest. The raindrops on grasses. The small things that I need to slow down to notice. Photography forces me to breathe it all in and be thankful. THAT is my why.
So anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read a bit about me. Feel free to check out my work on Instagram (some personal work but also some photographic art) and on Vero (though there’s not much there yet, as I’m just getting going on there!).