Stephen J. Hembley was born in 1957 in Dorset UK. Stephen’s father R.J. Hembley spent his career at the Russell Cotes Museum & Art Gallery and both were a huge influence on Stephen as an artist. He qualified as a cartographer with the Ordnance Survey but soon found his artistic spirit constrained. Lines on a map must follow annoying criteria such as terrain; he found his line drawing shackled. Stephen quickly returned to the art world.

Stephen is a figurative artist promoting the importance of drawing. When his drawing skills were recognised with his election to the Society of Graphic Fine Art; he felt his career had come full circle. He has enjoyed a long career, building up a loyal, worldwide group of clients. Their commissions always keep him busy.