Stephen B. Whatley

is an expressionist painter, published in TIME magazine, whose major commissions include architectural paintings for public institutions including the BBC, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London – where his work is permanently reproduced throughout Tower Hill Underpass at Tower Hill. He has been presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.

The artist’s vibrant oil paintings are in private collections worldwide and public collections including BBC Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces, the London Transport Museum, the Royal Collection of HM King Charles III, Taylor Woodrow, The Carrollton School of The Sacred Heart (USA) & Westminster Cathedral.

Born in London in 1965 he studied at The Ipswich and Norwich Schools of Art and The University of London and has exhibited in solo & group exhibitions, including London’s National Theatre, the ICA, the Lloyd’s Building, Olympia International Fine Art & Antiques Fair & Westminster Cathedral.

The work of Stephen B. Whatley work has been published in press features including The Guardian, Guardian Weekend magazine, HELLO!, MAJESTY, Metro London, The New York Times, The Sunday Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Times & USA TODAY. He is listed in David Buckman’s dictionary, Artists in Britain Since 1945. TIME published his portrait of Barack Obama.

Stephen B. Whatley has discussed his work in interviews with BBC London, BBC Radio Suffolk & LBC Radio. Most recently Stephen B. Whatley’s tribute to the Tudor icon, John Blanke , commissioned for The John Blanke Project, was featured with credit in the TV series Stories From The National Portrait Gallery – broadcast on Sky Arts on July 11, 2023.

Stephen B. Whatley is noted for his spontaneous work on location and painting major architectural landmarks, often in anniversary years. Public commissions include five architectural paintings for the BBC; and paintings of Buckingham Palace, both painted on location, to promote the Summer Opening of the Palace, via London Underground posters in both 1999 and 2000: an exterior view of the Palace for the Royal Collection (which hangs today in Her Majesty‘s London residence); and a painting of the Grand Staircase. Recently he was commissioned to create cityscapes on location in Hong Kong.

In 2000 the artist was commissioned to paint a vibrant series of 30 iconic paintings for Her Majesty’s Tower of London- many painted on location in and around the Tower. The entire series of works are permanently reproduced throughout the public walkway that leads from Tower Hill Station to the Tower of London.

In 2004 he was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of his work.

His many portrait sitters include: actors Frances Barber, Elizabeth Dawn MBE, Dame Judi Dench, Susan Hampshire OBE, Dame Siân Phillips, Alison Steadman OBE, Dame Julie Walters, Barbara Young, Virginia McKenna OBE, Lana Morris, Nyree Dawn Porter OBE, Finty Williams & Dame Barbara Windsor; actors,

Alec McCowen CBE and Sir Ian McKellen; TV presenter & Director of Flying TV, Sarah Greene; comedienne & writer Jo Brand;  comedian & singer Brian Conley; London Records Director, Colin Bell, casting director Paul De Freitas; entrepreneur, Ivan Massow; & barrister, Michael Mansfield QC.

Stephen B. Whatley has donated his work to raise funds for charities, including his tribute painting of Fred Flintstone auctioned to raise funds for the Joss Searchlight Children’s Cancer Support Charity.

Home Page: Stephen B. Whatley in August 2007 with his painting of ‘Kensington Palace'(Private collection)