Evan Stephens

I'm a landscape painter living in the mountains of the American West. I was born and raised in Utah, where I still live, work, and paint.

Many of my paintings begin life en plein air—painted on location. This traditional approach brings a vitality to my work that's difficult to achieve when painting from photographs, and it keeps me closely connected to the landscapes that inspire the work.

I’ve always loved making things, and I started painting in oils in 2012. Over time, painting has become a long-term pursuit—one that continues to challenge and reward me. That love of making extends beyond the canvas. I’m always tinkering with my own painting gear, building and adapting equipment to best suit my needs in the field.

I’m drawn to remote and rugged places and love hiking into the mountains with all my painting gear on my back. Wind, weather, steep climbs, and changing light make it physically and technically challenging, but they also connect me to the landscape.

Some artists paint to express themselves or to make a statement. But my motivation is simpler: I’m inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. Most often, that beauty is found in nature, but sometimes it appears in quiet, everyday moments. My desire is to express it in ways that photography can’t—creating work that captures the experience of a moment.

People often ask if painting is relaxing. It’s a fair question. For some, it might be. But for me, each painting is a challenge—an attempt to create something beautiful. It’s never easy. Sometimes I'm happy with the results. Other times, it's a battle. But there’s joy to be found in the struggle.

In real life, I work as a project and operations manager with a busy family. I'm fortunate that my understanding family occasionally lets me sneak away—either into the mountains or the studio—to spend some time at the easel.

I hope you enjoy my work.

You can follow along on Instagram: instagram.com/evan.stephens.art