Martin Stephen is an abstract expressionist painter working with a variety of medium including oil on canvas, gouache / acrylic on paper and board. Drawings, sketchbooks a foundation for surrealist ideas often used as the basis for larger paintings. The artist also works with digital composites, photo / video art and multi-media projection for live performance. With music, improvisational sessions may be recorded and post produced utilising effects and collage techniques.
I relate to the thoughts and processes found in the work of Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, De Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alan Davie (who I met in the 1990’s) Hans Hoffman for push / pull theory. Inspiration from : Abstract expressionism (1943 – 70) Cobra group (1948 – 51) Expressionism (1905 – 20) Free – jazz (1950’s / 1960’s) German experimental scene / early progressive rock (1967 – 80’s)
Music improvisation has played a key role in this artists life. Piano, drums extended to work with early synthesisers creating a catalogue of recorded work based on improvisation since 1998 working with traditional instruments, emulators, effects and production techniques.
Expressionist art an extension of this artists creativity retained the foundation and principles of fine art painting yet embracing collage and multimedia work with spontaneity and expressive freedom.
INFLUENCES
Abstract expressionism (1943 – 70)
Cobra group (1948 – 51)
Expressionism (1905 – 20)
Free – jazz (1950’s / 1960’s)
German experimental scene / early
Progressive rock (1967 – 80’s)
Psychedelia (1967 – 69)
MARTIN STEPHEN – CV
Born London , currently lives in Cambridgeshire United Kingdom.
ART
Collections on canvas and paper feature on-line, Saatchi Art and elsewhere.
A personal library of modern art abstract books and literature.
2020 continuation with Abstract Expressionist fine art :
Introduced to Alan Davie (Scottish abstract expressionist) through the Loft gallery, Herts.
Personal invitation to visit and meet Davie at his studio in Ware, Hertfordshire.
Introduced to Bernard Sindell (sculptor)
Introduced to David Jackson (ex VdGG)
Collections, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (2012 – 19)
Exhibited at Creative Reactions, Cambridge (2019)
Exhibited at the New Artist Fair, Brick Lane, London (Sept, 2019)
Exhibited at Art Out, Peterborough (2019)
Collaborations with Chantal Leger – Belgium (Summer ‘16)
Created Artwork design for front cover of published work ‘The Transistor’
Artwork – ‘Sensing the earth’ (Earth sciences) with Dr Brendan McCormack
Artwork – ‘Finding earth like planets’ with Dr Amaury Triaud
Artwork – ‘Dark matter, dark energy’ with Prof Carolyn Crawford
A Cambridge University link with Art titled ‘Creative Reactions’ as part of the worldwide ‘Pint-of-science’ event, participated 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Paintings: Myth : Fabric : Thought & Spirit of the Age feature on 2013 work
Le Sacre Du Travail by the progressive group The Tangent.
Video art sequences using i-Movie with large screen projection.
Exhibited at ‘Art at the Manor House’, Cambridgeshire.
Exhibited at the Cambridge Creative Network Exhibition, NARRATIVE’ at the Williams Gallery, Cambridge
Exhibited – four month residency, solo exhibition Andronicas, Peterborough.
Organised the Sharon taverner / Elizabeth Bruning exhibition.
Three months work experience at St Neots museum.
Exhibited – solo art show ‘The restless march of Energy : Expressionism’, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Abstract expressionist painting begins (2011)
MUSIC
Albums feature on Bandcamp, Spotify and elsewhere.
Current choice of DAW (Digital audio workstation) Apple i-Pad pro running Steinberg Cubasis.
Apps include orchestral SWAM acoustic modelling, Midi sequencing, sampling, looping.
Collaborations with : Chris Corry, Julie Ann, Chris Haines, Joe Mason, Katie Black.
Formed ‘Quantumology’ live performance project with vocalist Julie – Ann
Performed Textures in sound : Electric Waves – A multi- media live show Wisbech, Cambs, music, improvisation, video projection, masks & lights. (With Jane de Silva : flute / saxophone)
Sessions / performance at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Creative Minds studio) Northampton,
Castle Acre, Stevenage, Ely (Blue Barn recording studio), Wisbech.
MOTU Digital performer software on Apple Mac.
Early tech (circa. 1998) 1st digital 8-track, sound modules, synthesisers, drums / drum programming
Instruments played : Piano, drums, bass guitar, synthesiser.
Early background : 70’s Progressive rock. The German experimental music scene.
RECENT MUSIC ALBUMS
2026 Star-fields
2025 Fade in – fade out
2024 Songs in 2024
2023 Ancient broadcast
2022 Let some things go by
2021 Atmospherics
2020 Waves divine
2019 Forbidden planet
2018 Remasters Vol 1
2017 Martian dance party
2016 Re masters 1 : 2015 Another day is passing by : 2014 Dream of life and light : 2013 Disma-land : 2012 Alone in the sea : 2011 Songs from London : 2010 Requiem : 2009 Six hundred miles of open sea : 2008 All Hallow’s Eve : 2007 Navigators of the world : 2006 Everyday life of an artist : 2005 Homage to the earth spirits
COMPUTER / ELECTRONICS / FINANCE
Joined The Thinc Group, Cambridge and London (3 years)
Over 1000 employees advised and signed into the scheme.
Sold and managed the R Griggs footwear group GPPP (Group pension scheme)
-2nd largest in L & G history
Achieved FPC 1,2,3 industry standard financial qualifications.
Joined Legal & General – Senior Consultant (7 years)
Chosen to participate in a JIT (Just- in-time) industry wide
‘Eli Goldratt’ major board initiative.
Joined the (EITB) Engineering Industry Training Board – Senior Training Advisor (5 years)
Organised WP computer stand at the Los Angeles Expo exhibition.
Joined WP computer systems house as Senior Consultant (5 years)
Gained an Honours degree from Nottingham University (3 years)
‘Ariane’ space vehicle autopilot : breadboard design and environmental testing.
Joined the Space and satellite development division at Stevenage, Herts (2 years)
Achieved HNC (engineering) qualification with distinctions.
Award : Two week participation on the sail training schooner, Winston Churchill.
ADDITIONAL INFO : Martin Stephen : A contemporary British artist (abstract modern) also working with music for over 20 years. Has participated in numerous recording sessions of pure improvisation and created many studio based albums. Uses voice as an effects instrument and plays keyboards, guitars, bass, drums often combining with s/w emulators and synthesisers to create unique ‘composite’ arts inspired multilayered work. Solo and collaborative art shows in London and Cambridgeshire, live multimedia music performances in Cambridgeshire.
Inspirations from early 1970’s progressive (Including : Pink Floyd, Faust, Can, Hammill, Robert Wyatt, Magma, Hatfield’s, Focus, Brand X) to contemporary chill, dance floor, film and soundscape. (Early Moloko, Cinematic Orch, Ambient Jazz Ens, Robert Glasper.)
Expect out of the ordinary no-compromise music here created with integrity and dedication. Mixed specifically for quality headphones and AirPods this allows the listener inside the head of one of the most imaginative musicians working today.
Back in the 1990’s Martin moved swiftly from reel-to-reel machines to use the first digital 8-track, namely the Alesis MMT-8 with sound models from Roland and Oberheim.
Today in 2024 the artist uses mainly s/w apps with an Apple i/pad pro running Steinberg Cubasis. It’s a testament to Martin’s integrity to hear an artist who puts music most definitely first, and a rare opportunity to hear a true improviser at work.
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Vendor Biography
Martin Stephen is an abstract expressionist painter working with a variety of medium including oil on canvas, gouache / acrylic on paper and board. Drawings, sketchbooks a foundation for surrealist ideas often used as the basis for larger paintings. The artist also works with digital composites, photo / video art and multi-media projection for live performance. With music, improvisational sessions may be recorded and post produced utilising effects and collage techniques.
I relate to the thoughts and processes found in the work of Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, De Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alan Davie (who I met in the 1990’s) Hans Hoffman for push / pull theory. Inspiration from : Abstract expressionism (1943 – 70) Cobra group (1948 – 51) Expressionism (1905 – 20) Free – jazz (1950’s / 1960’s) German experimental scene / early progressive rock (1967 – 80’s)
Music improvisation has played a key role in this artists life. Piano, drums extended to work with early synthesisers creating a catalogue of recorded work based on improvisation since 1998 working with traditional instruments, emulators, effects and production techniques.
Expressionist art an extension of this artists creativity retained the foundation and principles of fine art painting yet embracing collage and multimedia work with spontaneity and expressive freedom.
INFLUENCES
Abstract expressionism (1943 – 70)
Cobra group (1948 – 51)
Expressionism (1905 – 20)
Free – jazz (1950’s / 1960’s)
German experimental scene / early
Progressive rock (1967 – 80’s)
Psychedelia (1967 – 69)
MARTIN STEPHEN – CV
Born London , currently lives in Cambridgeshire United Kingdom.
ART
Collections on canvas and paper feature on-line, Saatchi Art and elsewhere.
A personal library of modern art abstract books and literature.
2020 continuation with Abstract Expressionist fine art :
Canvas, paper, drawing, gouache sketches, prints, cards, digital collage, filter, effects, miniatures.
Introduced to Alan Davie (Scottish abstract expressionist) through the Loft gallery, Herts.
Personal invitation to visit and meet Davie at his studio in Ware, Hertfordshire.
Introduced to Bernard Sindell (sculptor)
Introduced to David Jackson (ex VdGG)
Collections, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (2012 – 19)
Exhibited at Creative Reactions, Cambridge (2019)
Exhibited at the New Artist Fair, Brick Lane, London (Sept, 2019)
Exhibited at Art Out, Peterborough (2019)
Collaborations with Chantal Leger – Belgium (Summer ‘16)
Created Artwork design for front cover of published work ‘The Transistor’
Artwork – ‘Sensing the earth’ (Earth sciences) with Dr Brendan McCormack
Artwork – ‘Finding earth like planets’ with Dr Amaury Triaud
Artwork – ‘Dark matter, dark energy’ with Prof Carolyn Crawford
A Cambridge University link with Art titled ‘Creative Reactions’ as part of the worldwide ‘Pint-of-science’ event, participated 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Paintings: Myth : Fabric : Thought & Spirit of the Age feature on 2013 work
Le Sacre Du Travail by the progressive group The Tangent.
Exhibited – selected Abstract expressionist works, Peterborough
Video art sequences using i-Movie with large screen projection.
Exhibited at ‘Art at the Manor House’, Cambridgeshire.
Exhibited at the Cambridge Creative Network Exhibition, NARRATIVE’ at the Williams Gallery, Cambridge
Exhibited – four month residency, solo exhibition Andronicas, Peterborough.
Organised the Sharon taverner / Elizabeth Bruning exhibition.
Three months work experience at St Neots museum.
Exhibited – solo art show ‘The restless march of Energy : Expressionism’, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Abstract expressionist painting begins (2011)
MUSIC
Albums feature on Bandcamp, Spotify and elsewhere.
Current choice of DAW (Digital audio workstation) Apple i-Pad pro running Steinberg Cubasis.
Apps include orchestral SWAM acoustic modelling, Midi sequencing, sampling, looping.
Collaborations with : Chris Corry, Julie Ann, Chris Haines, Joe Mason, Katie Black.
Formed ‘Quantumology’ live performance project with vocalist Julie – Ann
Performed Textures in sound : Electric Waves – A multi- media live show Wisbech, Cambs, music, improvisation, video projection, masks & lights. (With Jane de Silva : flute / saxophone)
Sessions / performance at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Creative Minds studio) Northampton,
Castle Acre, Stevenage, Ely (Blue Barn recording studio), Wisbech.
MOTU Digital performer software on Apple Mac.
Early tech (circa. 1998) 1st digital 8-track, sound modules, synthesisers, drums / drum programming
Instruments played : Piano, drums, bass guitar, synthesiser.
Early background : 70’s Progressive rock. The German experimental music scene.
RECENT MUSIC ALBUMS
2026 Star-fields
2025 Fade in – fade out
2024 Songs in 2024
2023 Ancient broadcast
2022 Let some things go by
2021 Atmospherics
2020 Waves divine
2019 Forbidden planet
2018 Remasters Vol 1
2017 Martian dance party
2016 Re masters 1 : 2015 Another day is passing by : 2014 Dream of life and light : 2013 Disma-land : 2012 Alone in the sea : 2011 Songs from London : 2010 Requiem : 2009 Six hundred miles of open sea : 2008 All Hallow’s Eve : 2007 Navigators of the world : 2006 Everyday life of an artist : 2005 Homage to the earth spirits
COMPUTER / ELECTRONICS / FINANCE
Joined The Thinc Group, Cambridge and London (3 years)
Over 1000 employees advised and signed into the scheme.
Sold and managed the R Griggs footwear group GPPP (Group pension scheme)
-2nd largest in L & G history
Achieved FPC 1,2,3 industry standard financial qualifications.
Joined Legal & General – Senior Consultant (7 years)
Chosen to participate in a JIT (Just- in-time) industry wide
‘Eli Goldratt’ major board initiative.
Joined the (EITB) Engineering Industry Training Board – Senior Training Advisor (5 years)
Organised WP computer stand at the Los Angeles Expo exhibition.
Joined WP computer systems house as Senior Consultant (5 years)
Gained an Honours degree from Nottingham University (3 years)
‘Ariane’ space vehicle autopilot : breadboard design and environmental testing.
Joined the Space and satellite development division at Stevenage, Herts (2 years)
Achieved HNC (engineering) qualification with distinctions.
Award : Two week participation on the sail training schooner, Winston Churchill.
Apprenticeship (Hawker Siddeley Dynamics) Hatfield, Herts (5 years)
i-Pad art
ADDITIONAL INFO : Martin Stephen : A contemporary British artist (abstract modern) also working with music for over 20 years. Has participated in numerous recording sessions of pure improvisation and created many studio based albums. Uses voice as an effects instrument and plays keyboards, guitars, bass, drums often combining with s/w emulators and synthesisers to create unique ‘composite’ arts inspired multilayered work. Solo and collaborative art shows in London and Cambridgeshire, live multimedia music performances in Cambridgeshire.
Inspirations from early 1970’s progressive (Including : Pink Floyd, Faust, Can, Hammill, Robert Wyatt, Magma, Hatfield’s, Focus, Brand X) to contemporary chill, dance floor, film and soundscape. (Early Moloko, Cinematic Orch, Ambient Jazz Ens, Robert Glasper.)
Expect out of the ordinary no-compromise music here created with integrity and dedication. Mixed specifically for quality headphones and AirPods this allows the listener inside the head of one of the most imaginative musicians working today.
Back in the 1990’s Martin moved swiftly from reel-to-reel machines to use the first digital 8-track, namely the Alesis MMT-8 with sound models from Roland and Oberheim.
Today in 2024 the artist uses mainly s/w apps with an Apple i/pad pro running Steinberg Cubasis. It’s a testament to Martin’s integrity to hear an artist who puts music most definitely first, and a rare opportunity to hear a true improviser at work.