Stephen has been interested in art since he was a child in school. He said he was the kid in the back of the class drawing instead of doing class work. His style of art is inspired from growing up in Lompoc, California where there is an eclectic mix of people, places, and scenes. Although Stephen is primarily self-taught, he has taken art classes at Ellen Hancock College and at Sacramento State University. Working as a substitute teacher, Stephen has also taught many different medias and forms of art from murals to paintings.

Stephen's work emplasizes both color and perspective. His use of deep shadow and bright saturated light is inspired by the brilliant sunshine from the coastal area he grew up in. He finds that his charcoal drawings further expand his ability to manipulate contrasting tones through shadow and light.

Stephen moved to Cottage Grove and finds the historic nature of this area very appealing and is busy painting local buildings and scenes with an interpretation uniquely his own. He also does private commissions.

Stephen has shown at the Zaca Mesa Winery, Santa Ynez Valley, in the Guadalupe Cultural Art Center as well as several fine eateries in Santa Barbara.