Stephen James studied in Sydney at the University of New South Wales' College of Fine Arts, completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994. He was born in 1957 at Cessnock, NSW.

His vibrant figurative work depicts individuals and couples during their moments of quiet intimacy and mystery, and the way that they are subtly influenced and coloured by their interaction and connection with their environment.

Craig Malyon, artist, teacher and co-author of visual arts text
A.R.T: art, research, theory, is enthusiastic about Stephen's work:

"There is something in his painting technique, a lustre that draws you inside the canvas. It's in the glaze and the light, you are not stopped at the surface."

Stephen's first solo exhibition was in 1995 at Crawford Gallery, East Sydney. Since then he has exhibited regularly in Sydney and Canberra.

His work has been selected in the Salon des Refusées at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, the Alice Prize for Contemporary Australian Art and as a finalist in the Inaugural Canberra Art Prize. In November 2005, Stephen was named a finalist in the Cromwell's Art Prize for his work “Inland Sea“.

After living and working in Sydney for many years, Stephen lived for four years in Canberra, before returning to the Hunter Valley to take up residence in one of the area's most historic buildings, The Branxton Inn. Now known as The Branxton Inn Arthouse, he has set up a new studio overlooking the picturesque vistas that inspire his work. Art classes and workshops for all ages are run regularly.

1992 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), College of Fine Arts,
          University of NSW
1994 Master of Art, College of Fine Arts, University of NSW

2006 Harris Courtin Gallery, Paddington
2005 Elementals, Chapman Gallery, Manuka, Canberra
2002 Marinade, Archipelago Art, Canberra
1999 The Hughenden, Sydney
1998 Heroes and Harlequins, Crawford Gallery, Sydney
1995 Anniversaries, Crawford Gallery, Sydney
1995 The Hughenden, Sydney

2005-6 Harris Courtin Gallery, Paddington
2005 Cromwell's Art Prize Finalists Exhibition, Sydney
2002 Canberra Art Prize Exhibition
2002 Cowra Art Prize Exhibition
2001 The Inaugural Canberra Art Prize Exhibition (Finalist)
1996  The Alice Prize - Alice Springs
1996 Salon des Refusées, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
1996 Crawford Gallery, Sydney
1994 Graduate Exhibition, College of Fine Arts, UNSW
1993 Arthaus Gallery, Sydney
1993 Waverley Art Prize
1990 Size Isn't Everything, Arthaus Gallery, Sydney

2005 Cromwell's Art Prize Finalist
2005 Maitland City Heritage Group selected  Floodboat for
          use on the front cover of the next historical publication
          on the theme of water.
2005 Work featured on TV :  The Great Outdoors,
          featuring the Hughenden Boutique Hotel, Woollahra, Sydney. 2005 Established the Branxton Inn Arthouse art school,
          Hunter Valley, Artist-in-Residence
1999 - 2005 The Hughenden Boutique Hotel, Woollahra, Sydney.
2001 Finalist - Inaugural Canberra Art Prize
1996 Opera Set Design, NSW Conservatorium of Music
1992 Rembrandt Award, Waverley Art Show