Born in Coventry, the heart of England, in 1962, Steve was lucky enough to grow up on the outskirts of the city. His childhood was spent walking and playing in the meadows and woodlands that surrounded his home.

His natural love of wildlife was nurtured by countless hours spent observing the comings and goings of the local flora and fauna. His first memory of art was watching his father, John, doodle a woman’s face while on the phone. Inspired, Steve picked up a pencil for the very first time.

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Years of practice during his early school days brought out Steve’s creative side. Growing up, he was captivated by TV programmes such as Tarzan, Daktari, and David Attenborough documentaries, which deepened his passion for animals and the natural world. Always somewhat of a loner, Steve could often be found by himself—watching or drawing wildlife. A major disappointment came when he was asked to leave art class because of his different approach. His teacher told him, “You’ll never be anything in the art world.” Just weeks before his ‘O’ Levels, he was moved to a pottery class—yet still managed to pass with a B+.

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As the years passed, life took over and art was pushed to the sidelines, though Steve always returned to it in times of stress.

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Completely self-taught in various mediums, Steve’s first big break came when he donated a painting to the Tusk Force Charity and was invited to London for the auction. While he disliked the big city, he was thrilled to meet fellow wildlife artists for the first time. David Shepherd and Willem de Beer were present, and Steve also befriended Paul Apps, who introduced him to the British Wildlife Art Society.

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Joining the society gave Steve new inspiration. Around this time, he discovered the work of Simon Combes. He was blown away by the genius of Combes’ paintings and vowed to become as skilled as he possibly could. Exhibitions and sales soon became a regular part of his life, with his work finding homes in both private and corporate collections. Meeting his hero, Simon Combes, on several occasions—and receiving praise for his work—spurred him on even further.

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Steve’s dream came true in 1994 when he won a two-week trip to Kenya through a newspaper competition. That short time was enough for Africa to get under his skin. The smells, sounds, and experiences of being in the bush with its precious animals and birds brought him to life. Upon returning to England, he found it impossible to settle back into his old way of life. Longing for Africa, he moved to South Africa in 1996 to be closer to the game parks and reserves he loved, and began painting full time. It wasn’t always easy, but his determination paid off. Today, Steve’s paintings are part of private collections—including 15 pieces owned by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa—as well as corporate collections around the world.

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In 2015, Steve moved to the Western Cape and instantly fell in love with the beauty of Hermanus, the place he now calls home. In 2024, he accepted a partnership in a gallery, a step that has seen his career grow from strength to strength, often with a waiting list for commissioned pieces.