Steven Phillip Smith was born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1974 and has been a full time artist since 1996 after studying Fine Art at Wigan & Leigh College and Middlesborough university.

Working in oils from direct observation, he captures everyday objects and places, traveling frequently for inspiration. His work has been shown in leading UK exhibitions, including the RA Summer Exhibition, Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibitions (ROI), The Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibitions (RSMA), The ING Discerning Eye and The New Light Prize Tour Exhibition and Summer Exhibition.

In 2025 Steven was made a Full member of the Royal Institute of oil Painters (ROI).
He is also a Full Member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA), where he has served on the council (2021 – 2024) and was appointed AGBI Steward in 2025.
He was elected Vice President in 2026.

“I work in oils, capturing the everyday world through direct observation, dividing my time between outdoor plein air painting and studio still life.
My subjects, whether objects I’ve collected or familiar places we may one day view with nostalgia, are chosen for the personal emotions and memories they evoke.

I hope that my paintings may offer future generations a glimpse into the past, showcasing the colours, textures and details of everyday life as vividly as I perceive them today” Steven