Stephen John Darbishire was born and raised in Cumbria. His love of the countryside and nature surrounding him informed his painting from an early age.
Initially trained by Cumbrian artist Judith Da Fano, he gained a scholarship to Byam Shaw School of Art studying under Greenham and Garrard.
At nineteen Stephen took off the Nigeria to work in a missionary but owing to illness, returned to the Lake District and set up a studio at Little Arrow, Coniston where he continued to paint. Still unsettled, he ventured to London into the music business becoming a successful singer releasing several records. However, the beauty and freedom of the Lake District called him back to Coniston. After his marriage in 1967, he studied at what was then The Charlotte Mason College in Ambleside gaining a degree in education, then began teaching in Primary Schools and painting in spare time. During the early 1970’s he became a member of the Lake Artists.
In 1983 he was accepted by the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition followed by The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Institute for Painters in Watercolours, The New English Art Club, The Royal Society of British Artists, of which he is still a member. By this time he was painting full time exhibiting regularly at the Richard Hagen gallery, Worcestershire, Beckstones Art Gallery, Greystoke, and annually at the Lake Artist’s exhibition. He continues to paint drawing inspiration from his natural surroundings.
Autumn Walk Loughrigg Tarn - oil
Early Morning - oil
Fresias in the Inglenook - oil
Full Moon - oil
Lakeland Farm - oil
Paros, Greece - oil
The River Brathay - oil
Windermere Lake - oil
Winter Skelwith Force - oil
Woodland Shade - oil