STEVEN P SMITH MAFA - BIOGRAPHY
Born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1974 Steven grew up in a small village. He studied A Levels and then a Foundation in Art at Wigan & Leigh College before completing the first year of a BA Hons degree at Cleveland College of Art.
In 1995 Steven left university to become a full time artist, quickly gaining recognition for painting large scale scenic works. He travelled throughout the UK and Europe completing major commissions for Madame Tussaud's, Sea Life, Blackpool Tower and Museums such as the Natural History Museum. These commissions included restoration to ceiling murals in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the painting of a 36 metre backdrop for the 'War Horse' exhibition at the National Army Museum.
Alongside this work Steven continued to paint portraits and figurative studies in his Studio. His realist figurative paintings, still life paintings and drawings became highly sought after in UK galleries.
In 2016 Steven began painting with a group of Plein Air painters who have become affecionately known as the Northernboys and has become increasingly passionate about painting outdoors from direct observation. They travel annually to paint in London, Venice & Seville as well as meeting up regularly to paint in other UK towns & cities.
Working outdoors whenever possible and occassionally developing larger works from these paintings in the studio, Steven looks to capture what he sees in the everyday modern world around him working in all weather conditions. He also has a passion for still life painting, capturing everyday objects and nostagic items that he has collected throughout his life. All works are in oils on either panels or canvas.
After a successful inaugeral exhibition with the Northernboys at Contemporary Six Gallery, Manchester in 2019, and two group exhibitions with the Northernboys at Windermere Fine Art Gallery in 2020 & 2021 the group are planning for a major London Exhibition in 2022/23.
Steven exhibits regularly with Manchester academy of Fine Arts and in Galleries throughout the UK.
Steven has exhibited with Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 2021, 2022 and with the Royal Society of Marine Artists in 2020, 2021 and 2022 at the Mall Galleries, London.
Steven was elected a Member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts in 2019 and a MAFA Council Member in 2021.
Awarded 2nd Place in the Preston Portrait Challenge 2022 at The Guild Hall, Preston.
Winner of the Preston Portrait Challenge 2019 at the Harris Museum & Gallery, Preston.
Winner of the People's Choice award and 3rd prize overall at the Painting Padiham 2019 Plein Air Competition.
Steven was Pre-selected for the RA Summer Show 2019
Exhibitions 2022
'Back in the City' Mixed Exhibition Windermere Fine Art Gallery
22 April - 22 May 2022
'Euphoria' An Exhibition In Oils The Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
23 April - 21 May 2022
'The Lake District' Mixed Exhibition Windermere Fine Art Gallery
1 June - 30 June 2022
'Summer Show' Mixed Exhibition Windermere Fine Art Gallery
1 July - 23 July 2022
'Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition' Mall Galleries, London
22 September - 1 October 2022
'Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA) Exhibition' Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
1 October - 18 November 2022
'Northern Connections' Group Exhibition The Long Gallery, 4 King's St. Clitheroe
29 October - 20 November
'ING Discerning Eye' Annual Exhibition 2022 Mall Galleries, London
12 - 21 November 2022
'Royal Institute of Oil Painters' Annual Exhibition 2022 Mall Galleries, London
24 November - 10 December 2022
'Winter Exhibition' Contemporary Six Gallery, Manchester
December 2022
Exhibitions 2021
"10+1" Mixed Exhibition 2021 Contemporary Six, Manchester
Dec 4th - January 2022
WFA Autumn Winter Mixed Exhibition Windermere Fine Art
October 2021 - Feb 2022
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Mall Galleries, London
Nov 24th - December 5th 2021
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts 'All the Best' group exhibition Dean Clough, Halifax
October 30th - Nov 20th 2021
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2021 Mall Galleries, London
Sept 30th - October 10th 2021
'The Northern Boys' Mixed Exhibition 2021 Windermere Fine Art
July 31st - August 31st 2021
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts 'Art of Every day' group exhibition Gallery Oldham
18th May - 26th June 2021
Exhibitions 2020
Royal Society of marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2020 Mall Galleries, London.
Sept 30th - October 10th 2020
"10" Mixed Exhibition 2020. Contemporary Six, Manchester
Nov 27th - Jan 2021
'The Northern Boys' Mixed Exhibition 2020. Windermere Fine Art.
September 2020 - Jan 2021
Exhibitions 2019
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Small Works exhibition. The Whitaker Gallery, Rawtenstall.
Dec 2019 - Feb 2020
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Autumn Exhibition. Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.
21st Sep 2019 - 1st Nov 2019
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Group Exhibition. The Atkinson Gallery, Southport.
July 2019
The Northernboys Group Exhibition. Contemporary 6 Gallery, Manchester.
May 2019
Busman's Holiday Exhibition. Picture House, Padiham.
April 2019
Solo Exhibitions
Figurative Paintings. Whitewall Gallery, Chester. March 2014
Upcoming events
'Euphoria' an Exhibition in Oil The Gallery Holt, Norfolk
23rd April - 31st May 2022
'Back to the City' Exhibition Windermere Fine Art Gallery
22nd April - 20th May 2022
'Lake District' Mixed Plein Air Exhibition Windermere Fine Art Gallery
1st June - 30th June 2022
The Northernboys Gloucestershire Arts Festival
29th July - 31st July 2022
'WFA Summer Exhibition' Mixed Oils Windermere Fine Art Gallery
1st July - 31st August 2022
MAFA Exhibition Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
1st Oct - 18th Nov 2022
'North By Northwest' Contemporary Six Gallery, Manchester
29 Oct - 20th Nov 2022