Stephen R Wood was born in London.  He comes from a family of artists, engineers and architects, and as a child he was always looking up at buildings.  He went on to study at the Architectural Association and Kingston University.  He was inspired by the work of  the modern masters, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, Antoni Gaudi and Edwin Lutyens.  

He worked for a number of architectural practices, including Sydney-based Peter Hall (who had been responsible for completing Utzon’s design for Sydney Opera House).  He eventually joined his father’s London-based practice, Peter Wood + Partners, where he became a partner. He greatly enjoyed the many challenges.

Stephen has always enjoyed drawing, painting and photography – he remembers starting out taking photos on a Kodak Brownie!  He particularly enjoys the challenge of life drawing, finding it an excellent way to truly focus on ‘looking’.  He has taken a number of courses to refine his skills, at The Heatherley School of Fine Art, City Lit and St Ives School of Painting.  He has been a long-term student of Kevin Chapman at Boathouse Studio, and more recently has studied under Adele Wagstaff, focusing on human anatomy and classical statues.  He’s inspired by many contemporary artists, including Henrietta Stuart, David Tress and Kurt Jackson. 

Stephen has an interest in the environment and much of his work is inspired by nature.  He spent much of his childhood at the family farm in West Sussex, where he grew to love the land. He aims to reflect the many subtle variations of light, mood and weather in his landscapes. 

Stephen has recently found time to volunteer at a number of local properties -  he is a trained guide for Strawberry Hill House and Chiswick House, and also volunteers at Sir John Soane’s Museum. Soane was a master of space and light, so it is a privilege and always inspiring to spend time there.