Steve Thompson is a mixed-media contemporary artist working from his garden studio in Stainburn, on the outskirts of Harrogate. His work is deeply influenced by landscapes, the sea, weather, textures, music, and textiles, yet his approach is instinctive rather than pre-planned. Without preliminary sketches, he allows each painting to evolve organically, guided by intuition and the act of painting itself.

Thompson thrives on the unpredictable nature of his process, balancing intention with spontaneity. “I can’t paint what I want, only what I would have wanted had I thought about it beforehand,” he says, quoting American artist Richard Diebenkorn—a philosophy that encapsulates his approach. His paintings are not premeditated narratives but open-ended explorations, where meaning often emerges only after the work is complete.

Texture, light, and movement play a central role in his compositions, reflecting his fascination with the natural world. Whether evoking the shifting moods of the landscape or the rhythms of music, his work encourages personal interpretation, inviting the viewer to lose themselves in the abstract.