Collection: Steve Brown

I began my artistic journey as a young child, constantly drawing and painting anything and everything that caught my eye.
After completing secondary school, I pursued my passion by studying Fine Art, Art History, and Photography at college. This allowed me to deepen my artistic knowledge, develop my skills, and explore various mixed media techniques. However, due to financial limitations, I transitioned into healthcare, where my caring and creative nature enabled me to connect meaningfully with those in need.
After many years in healthcare, including 10 years in the Emergency Ambulance Service, I experienced cumulative traumatic events. Encouraged by my wife, I rediscovered my passion for art and enrolled in a Diploma in Children’s Illustration. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my artistic journey, and for the past 11 years, I’ve been a professional Children’s Book Illustrator and, more recently, a professional artist (painter) for the last two years. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with The Brighton Box in Brighton, East Sussex, and more recently, Art & Space Gallery in Tenterden, Kent.
In recent years, the urge to create has evolved into an unwavering commitment to explore the depths of my creative consciousness. It has become a cathartic outlet, allowing me to express myself emotionally and spiritually. My art is a deeply personal reflection of who I am.

Artist Statement

I create portraits using oils, acrylics, and spray paint, aiming to capture both the iconic and intimate facets of the human experience. My work ranges from pop culture portraits—featuring movie stars, musicians, and memorable cinematic moments—to more personal, introspective pieces that reflect my own struggles with mental health and childhood trauma.
I also create abstract paintings, where I incorporate vibrant colours to convey energy and emotion, aiming to make the pieces captivating and evoke a strong reaction in the viewer. I enjoy experimenting with texture on the canvas, adding depth and dimension to the artwork.
In my pop culture portraits, I integrate references from the subjects' artistic fields, merging elements from film, music, and performance into the paintings. This approach allows me to explore how these larger-than-life figures shape our understanding of identity and fame, while also commenting on the fragility and complexity of their public personas.
On the other hand, I also create portraits that dive into emotional and psychological depths. These works speak to the internal challenges many of us face, especially regarding mental health. Through my personal journey, I reflect on how we often reveal only selected parts of ourselves, concealing others from the world. These pieces explore the contrast between public image and hidden pain, capturing moments of stillness, vulnerability, and quiet peace.
Portraiture is my chosen medium because it enables me to convey emotion through a glance, a gesture, or a fleeting connection. My own struggles with mental health and childhood experiences drive me to translate these emotions onto the canvas. My hope is that my work sparks open dialogue—particularly among men—on mental health, vulnerability, and the importance of embracing our true, unguarded selves.
In all my portraits, I strive to highlight the inherent beauty of the individual in all its complexity, acknowledging both the light and the shadows within us.