About the Artist

Stephen David Rathburn 
Montana Artist 

Stephen has made sketches since he was old enough to hold a pencil and he still sketches regularly with an ink pen . He studied Water Color for over 20 years after college before switching to oil and now enjoys painting landscapes .  He struggled during his post college years juggling art and a career in Ophthalmic Optics.  Art finally prevailed  when he decided he would be happier as a professional artist rather than a Master Optician.  Besides, he says, 'he could never find a good place to sign a pair of spectacles'. 

During his 20 years of studying watercolor, Stephen grew very fond of the 'no fuss' style of David Taylor, Edward Seago and especially techniques taught by Ron Ranson. The Ranson idea of forcing oneself to use a very large brush to keep from 'fussing over detail' and then using only seven pallete colors for simplicity impelled Stephen to do the same with his oil painting.

Stephen now lives in Billings Montana with his wife Joyce and paints in his home studio every day.

Stephen is also a musician and a published photographer.