Biography
STEVEN TOWNSEND
Steven is a completely self taught artist. He was born in Colne, East Lancashire in 1955 and still lives in the area with his wife and four children.
Looking at the quality of Steven’s work today, it is hard to believe that he showed no talent for art as a schoolboy. He only began to paint when he was 27, during a period of redundancy and illness. He felt the urge to copy a picture of a Kingfisher and, to his surprise; he found he could do it with ease. This newly found talent has continued to flow and develop ever since.
During this time Steven’s remarkable skill, technical ability and determination have transformed him from a locally admired wildlife painter into one of the countries leading artists. Recognised as such by the Trade (who voted him Artist of the Year in 1999) and by an ever-increasing audience of admirers who have marvelled not only at the talent of the man but also at his versatility.
His now famous dog pictures continue to sell out on publication and have proved to be a sound investment. Anyone who had the foresight to buy a limited edition print of Early Start on publication will have seen its value rocket from the £120 they paid to £3,000 or more today. Many of his other dog pictures have also become collectors’ items, commanding values many times the price paid on publication
Steven, however, is not just a painter of dogs. A long time admirer of Big Game, particularly the big cats, he has produced a stunning series of pictures including tigers, cheetahs, lions, leopards and most recently a captivating study of a puma cub, Curiosity, who’s prints were sold out long before the painting was complete. This has been followed by two portraits of wolves and an arresting image of a Polar Bear with her cubs in snow called Warmth of Nature.
Steven’s other great love is birds. The hyper realistic nature of his paintings has also made him one of the countries most collectable painters of British Birds. Not satisfied with this he has added land and seascapes to his portfolio. This venture has amazed and delighted established customers and captivated a whole new audience.
Steven paints in a converted garage at the family home, invariably accompanied by classical music, his favourites being Mahler and Chopin. When not painting he spends much of his time studying the work of many great painters. He particularly enjoys the work of Peder Monsted, Bruno Lilijors and artists from the Newlyn School.
Steven has a strong Christian belief and his faith has provided the foundation to his dedication and talent. Many customers are unaware that hidden in each and every picture are the initials JTC (Jesus The Creator), affirming his belief. These initials are so well hidden that they can take many hours of fun or frustration to find.
STEVEN TOWNSEND THE PHOTOGRAPHER
It is over 29 years since Steven started painting, how time has flown. This also means that Steven has been taking photographs for the same number of years, quite an apprenticeship. Steven has always loved setting off early in the morning, sometimes as early as 3am; on his photo shoots and being able to call it work. Some hundreds of thousands, of photos later, at last, Steven has been persuaded to print some of his work. This is a new venture but we have been extremely amazed and encouraged by the response. So much so that Steven is flat out planning many more shoots in new parts of the country.
Of course Stevens main love is his paintings and he is lucky that the two go hand in hand. Over the years many people have said that Stevens paintings are like photographs, in fact some people have almost come to blows, arguing over whether or not Steven’s work is a painting or a photograph. The last thing Steven wants to do is confuse people more, so with this in mind and to avoid confusion, Steven has signed his photographs Steve Roberts this being his second name. This is also explained on the certificate that comes with each limited edition photograph. Each photograph as been limited to a 95 edition.
Stevens photographs have been received with some wonderful comments because they are truly breathtaking. May be it is due to the number of years he has been taking photographs and the experience he has gained. May be it is because he is firstly an artist and naturally has an eye for it. Probably it is both, but what ever makes these photographs special we invite you to see for yourself because we are sure you will be truly impressed
Steven is a completely self taught artist. He was born in Colne, East Lancashire in 1955 and still lives in the area with his wife and four children.
Looking at the quality of Steven’s work today, it is hard to believe that he showed no talent for art as a schoolboy. He only began to paint when he was 27, during a period of redundancy and illness. He felt the urge to copy a picture of a Kingfisher and, to his surprise; he found he could do it with ease. This newly found talent has continued to flow and develop ever since.
During this time Steven’s remarkable skill, technical ability and determination have transformed him from a locally admired wildlife painter into one of the countries leading artists. Recognised as such by the Trade (who voted him Artist of the Year in 1999) and by an ever-increasing audience of admirers who have marvelled not only at the talent of the man but also at his versatility.
His now famous dog pictures continue to sell out on publication and have proved to be a sound investment. Anyone who had the foresight to buy a limited edition print of Early Start on publication will have seen its value rocket from the £120 they paid to £3,000 or more today. Many of his other dog pictures have also become collectors’ items, commanding values many times the price paid on publication
Steven, however, is not just a painter of dogs. A long time admirer of Big Game, particularly the big cats, he has produced a stunning series of pictures including tigers, cheetahs, lions, leopards and most recently a captivating study of a puma cub, Curiosity, who’s prints were sold out long before the painting was complete. This has been followed by two portraits of wolves and an arresting image of a Polar Bear with her cubs in snow called Warmth of Nature.
Steven’s other great love is birds. The hyper realistic nature of his paintings has also made him one of the countries most collectable painters of British Birds. Not satisfied with this he has added land and seascapes to his portfolio. This venture has amazed and delighted established customers and captivated a whole new audience.
Steven paints in a converted garage at the family home, invariably accompanied by classical music, his favourites being Mahler and Chopin. When not painting he spends much of his time studying the work of many great painters. He particularly enjoys the work of Peder Monsted, Bruno Lilijors and artists from the Newlyn School.
Steven has a strong Christian belief and his faith has provided the foundation to his dedication and talent. Many customers are unaware that hidden in each and every picture are the initials JTC (Jesus The Creator), affirming his belief. These initials are so well hidden that they can take many hours of fun or frustration to find.
STEVEN TOWNSEND THE PHOTOGRAPHER
It is over 29 years since Steven started painting, how time has flown. This also means that Steven has been taking photographs for the same number of years, quite an apprenticeship. Steven has always loved setting off early in the morning, sometimes as early as 3am; on his photo shoots and being able to call it work. Some hundreds of thousands, of photos later, at last, Steven has been persuaded to print some of his work. This is a new venture but we have been extremely amazed and encouraged by the response. So much so that Steven is flat out planning many more shoots in new parts of the country.
Of course Stevens main love is his paintings and he is lucky that the two go hand in hand. Over the years many people have said that Stevens paintings are like photographs, in fact some people have almost come to blows, arguing over whether or not Steven’s work is a painting or a photograph. The last thing Steven wants to do is confuse people more, so with this in mind and to avoid confusion, Steven has signed his photographs Steve Roberts this being his second name. This is also explained on the certificate that comes with each limited edition photograph. Each photograph as been limited to a 95 edition.
Stevens photographs have been received with some wonderful comments because they are truly breathtaking. May be it is due to the number of years he has been taking photographs and the experience he has gained. May be it is because he is firstly an artist and naturally has an eye for it. Probably it is both, but what ever makes these photographs special we invite you to see for yourself because we are sure you will be truly impressed