Steven Smith AROI

Statement

I work in oils, capturing the everyday world through direct observation.

My still life paintings focus on objects that evoke emotions or memories of certain times, places or even people I know. Some are objects I have collected throughout my life, and some are modern, everyday items that we currently take for granted but may one day look back on with nostalgia. These are often toys, food items and household brands we are all familiar with.

I start with small, loose studies, often sketching and experimenting with compositions to portray specific scenes. Sometimes I will build a set in the studio so that I can work on a painting for as long as necessary until it is completed.

The small studies take 1-2 days to paint, while larger works can span weeks or months.

My goal is not Hyper-realism but to convey what I see through my own eyes to the best of my ability.

I hope that my paintings offer future generations a glimpse into the past, the everyday world as I see it today. Showcasing the colours, textures and details of everyday objects as clear as I perceive them today, while also reflecting my thoughts, feelings and personality.

Bio

Steven Phillip Smith was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1974 and has been a fulltime artist since 1996, after studying Fine Art at Wigan & Leigh College and Middlesbrough University.

Early in his career he specialized as a scenic artist working throughout the UK and Europe whilst developing my skills and knowledge in oil painting. Notable commissions include large scale paintings for The National Army Museum’s ‘War Horse’ exhibition and Michael Foreman’s ‘War Boy’ Exhibit.

As he transitioned to smaller works, his focus shifted to studio based still life painting and plein air work. He works in oils from direct observation and loves to capture everyday objects and places, traveling frequently for inspiration, which has led to exhibitions in some of the UK’s most respected galleries including the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) and Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA). His work has been featured in multiple solo and group shows, with his most recent solo exhibition, ‘Brushstrokes to Brands’, held at the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill from August 2023 to February 2024. 

In 2024 Steven was made an Associate Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

He is a full member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA), where he actively exhibits and has served on the exhibition committee and as a council member from 2019 to 2024. 

Over the past year Steven made several trips to the US and Canada, with more planned for 2025 as he works towards another solo exhibition.

Scholarships, Awards, Prizes

Preston Portrait Challenge 2022, 2nd Place, Preston Guild Hall

Preston Portrait Challenge 2019, 1st Place, Preston Harris Musuem

Painting Padiham 2019, People’s Choice Award Winner, 3rd Place Overall

Exhibitions

Exhibitions 2024

'Brushstrokes to Brands' Solo Exhibition, Museum of Brands, Notting Hill, London, Extended until 18th February 2024

'New Light Prize Exhibition', Bankside Gallery, London, 27th February - 3rd March 2024

‘New Light Prize Tour', Rheged Arts Centre, Penrith, CA11 0DQ, 14th March - 2nd June 2024

'The Northern Boys Exhibition', Panter & Hall, 21-22 Pall Mall, London, 10th April - 26th April 2024

'New Light Prize Tour Exhibition', The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, NE2 1AN, 29th June - 22nd September 2024

'Connections' MAFA Group Exhibition, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, 20th July - 13th September 2024

'New Light Prize Tour Exhibition', The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate, HG1 2SA, 12th October - 31st December 2024

'The Turning Point' Group Exhibition, 32 Market Place, Preston, PR1 2AR, 20th August - 26th August 2024

'The Royal Society of Marine Artists' 2024, Mall Galleries, London, 19th - 28th September 2024

'The Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2024', Mall Galleries, London, 28th Nov - 14th December 2024