Stephen Verona is that rare artist who has seen the world and has produced amazing
art to reflect his observations in brilliant paintings of light and color. Rich
with character and emotionally communicative, Stephen’s work is as moving and inspirational,
paying tribute to his remarkable vision and talent.
Stephen Verona started painting at the age of 2 when he first discovered that he
could express himself by smearing shoe polish on the walls of his childhood home.
Verona’s talent has been evident from the start, and commercial recognition came
his way as early as art school, when Edward Steichen first selected his photograph
for display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Following graduation, Stephen
went on to become co-creative director of Ogilvy & Mather, where he closely worked
with legendary David Ogilvy.
Having met John Lennon on location in England while directing a TV commercial for
Ford, Verona created the first of what was quickly dubbed the “Music Video,” the
first of many for artists like Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Chicago, Simon & Garfunkle,
Johnny Cash, Mick Fleetwood, Natalie Cole, Boy George, Santana and countless others.
As an enthusiast of film, Verona had soon become a famed acting teacher, actor and
Lee Strasberg’s protégé at the Actor’s Studio director’s unit. By the time he was
27, Stephen was nominated for an Academy Award for his live action short film “The
Rehearsal” which he created, produced & directed. Not satisfied with commercials
or videos, Verona moved on to write, produce and co-direct his first feature film,
“The Lords of Flatbush,” launching the careers of Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler,
and Richard Gere. Stephen also gave Gladys Knight her first acting role in “Pipe
Dreams” which led to 2 Golden Globe Nominations. All during his film making days,
Verona always photographed and painted.
Verona’s paintings and photographs have been included in various important collections
at museums around the world and he has won over 100 awards for his work. In 2008,
the Getty Museum acquired his photography for their permanent collection. In 2009
he was invited to join an exclusive group of artists from around the world for an
audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Sistine Chapel. This was the
first time a Pope has hosted artists in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel since the Renaissance;
the invitation was a significant validation of Verona’s work. Stephen was also the
first ever American to be invited to photographically document China’s developing
society, bringing the west an unprecedented insight into the culture of the east
that has previously been so veiled.