Following graduation from the Leicester School of Art & Design, Steve worked as an Art Director in a number of London advertising agencies, crossing paths with many of the industry’s leading lights of the early 1990s, a boom time in advertising. In 1995, Steve moved to Ireland to take up a position with a Dublin ad agency. Inspired by the beauty of the Irish landscape, he began painting, initially at weekends. Seven years later, in 2002, he decided to take the plunge and paint full-time.
Steve’s work has been shown in London, at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, and at the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts in Belfast, and can be found in collections in the UK, USA and Ireland. He has also had solo exhibitions at the Leinster Gallery and exhibited at various group events.
In recent years Steve has become involved in the revival of the Plein Air movement. Plein Air is a French term that simply means painting in the open air. As Steve says, “What makes this method so special is the challenge of trying to capture the light and colours of the subject while being outside, usually with just two to three hours to complete the painting. Having to make quick decisions on composition and brush strokes encourages spontaneity, often producing a painting that is fresh and impactful, something that would be very difficult to achieve in the studio.” Clearly this method suits Steve’s style of painting. As well as winning prizes at the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Dublin Plein Air Festivals and a Bronze and a Silver at Wexford’s Art in the Open Festival in 2018 and 2019, he has also been a finalist in the prestigious Plein Air Magazine of America's annual art competition in both 2020 and 2021. And in 2021 his painting Sandycove Summer, was chosen by Plein Air Magazine of America for their cover. If you would like to purchase a painting please contact Steve and he would be delighted to discuss the matter.