A celebrated realist painter, Steven Townsend’s depictions of Britian’s wild and unspoiled landscapes are among some of the most highly sought after in the UK.
Born in Colne, in Lancashire in 1955, Steven is an entirely self-taught artist, having developed a fascination with painting during a period of illness and redundancy in his late twenties. It was to be a revelatory experience, with Steven taking to painting with uncommon ease and natural ability, discovering a previously untapped spring of creative potential.
From these unusual beginnings, Steven went on to forge a standout career, garnering an abundance of collectors and admirers through the years and gathering accolades which include the title of ‘Artist of the Year’ in 1999, awarded by the Fine Art Trade Guild.
Having stepped back from the commercial art world around a decade ago, Steven’s deep connection to the natural world was realised anew during the Covid lockdowns. He spent much of this time rambling the rugged fells of the English Lake District and discovered his muse in those powerful, achingly beautiful surrounds. From this time onwards, Steven has embarked upon large scale paintings, reflecting the immensity and vision of his subject.
Realised with incomparable detail and exactitude, Steven’s acute technique conjures scenes of photorealistic splendour. Yet, his love of and relationship to the land emanates from his work, with the peace, solace and sanctitude he so clearly finds there, reverberating for all to feel.
Surrounded by classical music, Steven paints from his home studio in Lancashire, where he lives with his wife and four children. Having reached an international audience, his work is hung and admired in private collections all over the world.