STEPHEN BREHM

Stephen Brehm is an artist whose journey has been shaped by a deep, evolving connection to the natural world. Born in Verdun, France, Stephen spent his younger years moving with his family to Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico. Later, he relocated to the United States and has lived in diverse locations, including California, New York, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, and now Pennsylvania. Through his travels, Stephen developed a profound appreciation for both the landscape and seascape, as well as the relationship humans have with these sites in nature. An inspirational setting is paramount to his creative process, driving him to capture the energy and essence of his surroundings.

Before returning to art school, Stephen visited a local art store, where he purchased a book on Frederick Waugh’s seascapes. Inspired by Waugh’s stunning depictions of the ocean, Stephen spent hours copying several of his paintings and gave them away as gifts. Years later, after studying painting and figure drawing at Millersville University, Stephen found himself painting ocean scenes on a regular basis, unknowingly coming full circle to the very subject that had first captured his attention. After college, before committing to a full-time career as an artist, Stephen worked at a television station as a 3D animator, TV graphic artist, and courtroom sketch artist for a national criminal case. One of his courtroom sketches was even featured on NBC's The Today Show, marking a significant moment in his career. These varied experiences in both traditional and digital art contributed to his ability to blend technical skills with expressive artistry in his later works.

Stephen’s approach to painting is rooted in the simplicity and immediacy of capturing light and shadow through loose, direct, and vibrant brushwork. "There is something about this simplicity and the look of fresh wet paint that moves my artist soul," he says. His goal is to capture a gesture or object with as few strokes as possible, focusing on the essential elements that bring the subject to life. He draws inspiration from artists who embraced a direct painting method early Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent, and Joaquín Sorolla

Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and figure drawing from Millersville University. He has been featured in Philadelphia Style Magazine and has received multiple honors for his talents. His work resides in homes and businesses across the United States, from California to Florida and throughout the Northeast. Stephen exhibits extensively at outdoor art shows from Maine to Florida, and in galleries throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. His paintings reflect his ongoing passion for the ocean and the natural world, offering viewers a glimpse into the beauty and spirit of these landscapes.