Steven R Hill [NRA 2018]

First name: Steven ;
Middle name: R ;
Last name: Hill ;

Member: Non-resident artist member ; 
Begin: 2018 ;
End:  n/a ;

Biography:

Steven  was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and has resided in the San Juan Islands of Washington State since 1974, where he works out of his studio on Lopez Island. 

He holds a BA in Fine Arts from Boise State University, (1970) an MFA in Painting from Washington State University (1974) and was an illustrator in the U.S. Army, Ft. Hood, TX (1970-72).

His passion is to paint directly on-site, (en plein air) wherever he travels. He  prefers the pastel medium, for its archival permanence, vibrant colors and speed. He refers to his technique as “painting” because he is able to use many layers of color to achieve higher luminosity and more pigment saturation than can be done with any liquid mediums. Pure pigment pastel is the most permanent, archival  artists’ medium on earth, proven by scientific tests.

Since 2003, his artwork has been given 114 top awards and honors in regional, national and international level juried fine art competitions. He is frequently invited to give lectures, painting demos and special presentations for art groups around the country and has been an awards and selection juror for many fine art competitions. His teaching encompasses over 100 workshops around the U.S. and in Europe.

He is a signature member and past president of the Northwest Pastel Society, a signature member of The Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists and is an active member of several Art organizations worldwide, including the Salmagundi Club (NYC), America’s oldest and most prestigious art organization, (founded 1871).  

His artwork has been published in several leading art publications and books including: The Artists Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Drawing Magazine, North Light Books & Artispectrum Magazine. In 2014, he won the Zion National Park Superintendent’s Purchase Award, where his work resides  with Thomas Moran, Frederick Dellenbaugh among others, since 1919. 

His latest major award was “Best Plein Air Landscape” (Plein Air Magazine January 2025 Salon competition) with “Boom! Kilaeuau Eruption 8:30 a.m. 1/28/25” judged from 830 entries in 23 countries, by Mark D. Mitchell, Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at Yale University Art Gallery.

His latest major honor was being selected in the 2024 Plein Air Salon “Top 40” out of 11,000 entries from 30 countries, for his painting “Fisherman Bay Winter Sunset”

Website: https://www.windsweptstudios.com/

Artworks: