Stephen Alpe

My name is Stephen, but don't mind being called Steve.
I was born at the end of 1959, but was meant to be a 60's baby. Bulawayo, in the then Southern Rhodesia, is my home town.
I always liked drawing, but only began painting seriously with watercolor in 1986. I have always loved wildlife, specially birds. In Zimbabwe as Rhodesia became, birds are everywhere. I thought it would be easy to paint them from photographs, but that is not the way to go. You need to be able to show the real character of each species. I much admired and became inspired by such artists as D.M. Reid Henry and Cloe Talbot-Kelly.
My early efforts were not good, but I tried to improve despite unrelenting criticism from birdwatching friends.
On moving to the UK in 2007, I gave up illustrating wildlife all together. I began to explore abstract and modern art from artists like Kandinsky and Joan Miro.
People fascinate me and the human form, both female and male are great subjects.
I do not have a huge studio, only a bedsit. However...before you sign out, being self taught I do produce original work which is both intriguing and eye catching work.

I am self taught regarding watercolors. It has taken ages to get where I am now, and I feel I still have a long, long way to go. The journey has been fun though. Frustrating as well.
I am not a professional watercolorist, only painting when I get the chance.
Apart from a small combined exhibition in Bury St.Edmunds with the local watercolor society, I have not exhibited my pictures.

Cambrian Royal Academy : March 2021