Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve White.
Steve, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a native of Mt. Orab, a small town in southern Ohio, and at 19 years old, I joined the Navy to work as a photojournalist. It was pure luck that I got such a cool job that offered so many opportunities! I was first stationed in Okinawa, Japan, working boots-on-the-ground journalism, conducting interviews with a wide array of service members, documenting distinguished visits and riding aircraft, making magazines, and lots of photography. Afterward, I transitioned to Combat Camera Pacific, formerly located in San Diego, but since decommissioned. I worked as the training department manager there and deployed as a combat camera operator to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (yes, the prison), and flew in support of missions all over the world. Following the Navy, I decided to move to back to Japan and wanted to use my GI Bill to earn my degrees. I attended Temple University Japan Campus in Tokyo, majoring in Art and Communications. The pandemic started just before I graduated, and after much deliberation, decided to move back to America, where I could more freely work on my career. I chose to come back to San Diego because it had some familiarity to it, but also offered many opportunities for new growth. I worked at Nelson Photo and Video in Point Loma for some time, which led to the creation of one of my most favorite (and laborious) art projects, in which I recycled old film canisters into complex art pieces and some symbols. I also recently wrote, designed, and released my first poetry/art booklet, avidly shoot photography, practice guitar, draw, and dive into any other artistic medium I can. For me, Art is liberation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are smooth patches, but most roads are rough. Probably the biggest struggle I’ve faced consistently over the years has been finding my ‘place.’ Having lived ‘out-of-place’ abroad and away from home for so long has taught me that location has nothing to do with belonging. For example, living in Tokyo as a foreigner can become very isolating, but through that isolation comes a strange sort of individual freedom to focus on who I am, what I want in life, and the like. It’s thanks to taking myself out of my comfort zone or complacency and struggle through new hardships that I can grow as a person. So, in a weird way, I suppose I live for the struggle because it’s better than being stagnant on a rough road.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a creator. This is why I am here on this earth. I have felt this way for as long as I’ve been alive. Since I learned to start nurturing this urge to create, I couldn’t contain it to just one media. It started with drawing and photography, then I picked up the guitar and discovered my love for books through bookbinding, poetry, layout and graphic design, calligraphy, oil painting, mixed media, garbage, and now, I’m at the point that if I can touch it, I can make some sort of artwork out of it. My eight and a half years in Japan and time elsewhere also helped add an international perspective of diversity that I bring into my work. I am most proud of my resilience in overcoming failures and hardships while being a creative vagabond and recluse.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
In San Diego, I owe a lot to my time working at Nelson Photo and Video, as it was my first job back in America and really helped me get back into the swing of things while also being extremely supportive of my personal work. Also, the Beers & Cameras (“camera club”) community—I mean, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t even be doing this interview! They’re all an awesome group of people, all encouraging each other while having a great time. All my friends and mentors in America, Japan, Germany, Korea, etc., they’ve all played a major role in my life, offering a continuous welcoming space of guidance and confidence and also supporting my work. Basically, I wouldn’t feel much motivation to make work if it weren’t for their continued support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stevewhiteii.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevewhiteii/
Image Credits
@mstah.freeze
@mami_shoots
Sayra Vasquez
Kenny Yokoyama
