A Look at Stephen's Paintings in the Chateau | Manor & Maker

This week is a "Maker" video that takes a look at Stephen's paintings. After arriving from Canada the works are displayed on the chateau walls and Stephen talks through the inspiration for some of them.
Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions.
Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world travelling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Chateau de Saint Germain des Pres. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Chateau. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

[@lisabeth8036]

Stephen, the Lord has blessed you with the ability to show us in painting what we may never be able to see. You have shown me the beauty of our world.. And I thank you!

[@ManorandMaker]

You are very welcome

[@crazydays7]

Say it fifty times…”I am an artist!” The paintings you shared with us carry such emotions. Lovely!

[@pennypeberdy]

Your paintings are brilliant. What a talent you have.

[@mavep2855]

You are a gifted artist Steve! I like all the pieces you showed us but in particular the Florentine Man and the Peruvian lady who is weaving. I look forward to seeing your art studio when it is finished. Your portraits are awesome! Thanks for the tour🙏🏻❤️

[@traceg2903]

I agree!!

[@debbief5594]

Steve, your paintings are extraordinary! They look like actual photographs, especially the Peruvian woman weaving fabric. The depth you mentioned you wanted to achieve created the realism of a photograph. Beautiful work!

[@ret4350]

The paintings with the people look like photos. So real.

[@beefrench3554]

Any portraits of Sarah? Looking forward to paintings of the chateau too.

[@DownButNotOutYet]

I was totally lost looking at the paintings, what talent you have Steve!! Each painting tells it's own story. I have realised long ago, each painter shares his thoughts on that canvas or board, he expresses what he experiences and sees. The history telling us about your passion was lovely. Hopefully we will see much more of your talents and perhaps you can place them up for sale, why not, paintings are created by the painter for people to enjoy and appreciate. Have you ever considered a mural? I have seen some murals and they are totally amazing. Why not consider doing a mural in the Chateau, imagine buying a place with a person's talent registered in the plaster almost forever. Almost like leaving a footprint behind!. This could be the start of exciting new beginnings. I think you are going to be a very busy man, sorry, artist. Go well and the video was lovely, thank you for sharing. Let Sara give you a pat on the back and tell you, well done. Till next time. Go well.

[@erikakiss8855]

Mind blown! Your paintings are incredible, Stephen! I love, love, love the portraits (including your own), the landscapes, the colours! If I had to pick a favourite, it would be Fez at night. You captured the evening light amazingly. You are an amazingly talented artist indeed.

[@patmcloughlin6409]

That was very enjoyable Steve. As a non-painter I thought I would not be interested but your paintings are so wonderful, light-filled, colourful and interesting that I really enjoyed your whole vlog. I’m glad you have captured people from your travels as they’re all such interesting characters

[@andrewford9287]

You have an incredible talent Stephen Your use of colour is fantastic Love the self portrait & the pictures of the people working Andrew 💐💜x

[@ManorandMaker]

Many thanks!

[@eurovisionisto]

I love your style of painting, very very beautifully done!

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you very much!

[@Goodnessgraciius]

As a graphic designer who also likes to paint, I completely understand your feelings about creating art for yourself. Your work is amazing! I'm blown away by the portraits.

[@melaniewest3947]

Love the lady in Peru and the old man waiting for his wife. My favourite is the woodland scenes

[@gayejani350]

So glad that you finally showed us some of your creations. You are very talented and manage to create life like paintings. Such a gift. Looking forward to seeing more.🥰🇨🇦

[@sillybeeful]

Steve, I love your use of light and shadow, luminous colour, pattern and texture… your subjects are fascinating too. Your work is wonderful. Thank you for sharing 🎨

[@anitasujiivana4553]

Loved the tour, Stephen. Loved your gran’s portrait too. Enjoyed it all. Happy painting! 🎨👨🏼‍🎨🖌🖼

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ShineKelly]

Was great to hear you talk about your work! Confederation park picture is my favourite (I have a personal fondness for taking photos of shadows). I used to paint when I was younger but I have no talent for anything resembling anything realistic. My mother started painting in her later years and I have been very impressed with what she does - like you she does a lot from photos she has taken. She says she does it by the kinds of light she sees rather than the colours or shapes. The light work on your Peru lady reminds me a lot of something my mother would paint. I collect paintings of a very rare and special bird where I live called the kākāpo.

[@wyldinfrance8801]

Steve- just wow! I had no idea you were an artist! I absolutely LOVE the woodland landscape, you’ve captured so much of the atmosphere. The puffins are also incredible!

[@jfs59nj]

Steve please share your magnificent work as often as you’d like. This was brilliant

[@louettahuddleson7194]

Stephen you are most definitely an artist. Your talent is amazing. I absolutely fell in love with the rice fields painting and the puffins grouping. You have been truly blessed with many talents.

[@janiceleblanc2736]

Amazing art Steve! As a fellow Canadian, I appreciate your humbleness and enjoy both you and Sarah so much! Love following your journey.

[@dianaficsor]

Lovely paintings.. everything is so realistic and the motion is captured perfectly.. love all of these.. what a talent you have!!

[@normamurray4450]

Oh my gosh Stephen, I am proud to be a Canadian even more after seeing your talents at work! You are a fantastic artist, yes, so realistic as someone else said! I feel that we could reach out and touch them and be 'in the moment'!!!!! WOW!!!!!

[@charlenelindsay2019]

Stephen, thank you most kindly for the tour of your paintings. Beautiful, expressive and moving...Bravo👏 Huhs

[@genag301]

Just amazing work. Don’t you find that when you look at the painting you remember the feeling & all the things associated with that place? More so than the actual photo. I love watercolor. Acrylic is hard! 😁. Well done you!

[@ehpeachylove]

Stephen I love your bold, vibrant colors in you art work, and I appreciated your explanation on where your inspiration came from for your pieces. I felt so moved by your work, the elephant painting, the first one of ladies in the rice field, the city of Fess at night all stunning. You totally did capture the depth of the city at night. I love the ostrich , he has so much character. Everything you shared is beautiful. You are a fantastic artist and truly blessed with the gift for putting your photography onto canvas. I look forward to future showing of your work. 🥰

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

You are incredibly talented. I love the Florentine man’s face - your art is like looking at a detailed photo but better.

[@debragonser745]

Stephen! I love your art work! As a fellow landscape painter I am truly jealous of your people. The expressions in their faces are so realistic. I know I would never be able to afford it but would love to spend a week painting with you! I can totally relate to everything you said in the beginning of your video. I could paint trees all day long. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you so much 😀

[@joellenmeek658]

The perspective, depth, and color of your paintings is wonderful. I also do acrylic paintings and you have inspired me to try using a pallet knife.

[@kfrohlich]

Steve the paintings are all amazing. My favorite was the city of Fez. Absolutely beautiful 😍

[@nattersar77]

Steve, your art is incredible!!! Thank you for sharing with us. I look forward to seeing your process.

[@potterkelly487]

Stephen,loving your art work. The colours and story is pulls me in. I am a potter and it took me years to be able to call myself that. I know what you mean, you are a artist.🇨🇦❤️

[@TheWeldena]

Beautiful work Stephen!!❤️

[@carolenooyens1189]

Beautiful works of art.

[@ScissorsAndSmiles]

Wow, Stephen, you really have a gift! Your portraits are really powerful. Thanks for the tour and the “artist statements”!

[@rebekahlow8375]

I found your sharing with us the materials you use and why really interesting! Each painting is beautiful!! I love learning about each painting.The "Elephant In The Grass" is awesome!! The Fez painting is incredible! I hope we see more videos about your art!! Love from Vermont

[@vickymatthews1823]

What an amazing artist you are Steve, can’t wait to see more of your work through the vlogs.

[@myownlittlehouse471]

The paintings on the walls did catch my eye, and I wondered if they were yours. Stunning! You are very skilled and gifted. My personal favorite is the city at night. You DO capture it -- especially in the distance, the points of light, and the deep yellow glow. It's wonderful. I love your bold colors, and I admire your use of acrylic and palette knife. It will be very fun, as you do your videos, to see all these paintings on the walls!! The ones from the park, with the trees/shadows, are also very lovely. Thank you so much for sharing with us! I've been painting watercolor for a few years, and am a rank amateur. (I mostly paint cards.) But all of what you say about the process, the feelings, what it does inside -- yes!

[@ichaconf]

I genuinely though that the Peruvian woman’s painting was a photo when I saw it in previous vlogs.

[@sherrygiambalvo2288]

These are amazing! The Florentine Man looks like my grandfather. He woud be over 120 years old if still alive, so this warmed my heart to see your painting.

[@sprivate1333]

such talent! you really capture colors and I would think they're even more amazing in person. thank you for sharing with us!

[@darlenechandler2403]

What a talent you are. I live in Ontario and wish I had seen your paintings in a gallery here. Nice you now have a Chateau to have a studio and to hang your paintings. You both are an inspiration to many. So happy to see this video. So looking for more on this. Both of you are so talented. Can’t wait to see more videos on this.

[@debragonser745]

Your self portrait is amazing! Your talent is definitely people! Your amazing! Trying to paint a moose right now! Love acrylic!

[@laurencunningham8281]

Everything is amazing, loved the closeups to see the details and textures. Incredible depth in the cityscape

[@BernardDauphinais]

O wow! Gorgeous, all beautiful! Hard to choose my favorites, but the rice field, Fez at night, and the Florentine Man are at the top of the list. But I love them all!

[@ManorandMaker]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@angelatorlop4319]

You are a very gifted artist Steve. I loved your elephant one, the elephant looked "glowy" on the plains. And the one of the town. That was well done also. They were all fantastic, but those were my favourites

[@debshaw680]

Stephen, I absolutely love your work. Especially the nature and animal subjects. I was learning watercolor tho I actually am best at realism even in watercolor. I’d otherwise never been able to make art. Just when I was learning to have some confidence in my work, a new medication closed the door I had just opened. Now I have all my painting stuff put away. I love seeing you pushing yourself. Your work is truly beautiful.

[@beiderbecke1927]

As a fellow acrylic painter, I envy your vibrant use of color and assertive brushwork. In my quest to capture the luminosity of oil paint, I use a gloss gel medium, tempered with a bit of matte varnish, and a few drops of drying retarder. Although my work is tighter than yours, I think you might find this mixture useful. It still dries fast, but imparts a more glazed effect than a watercolor wash look. Anyway, I love your work, especially your studies of trees, and the effect of sunlight on them. Lots of life in your shadows. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing you creating in your beautiful studio.

[@beverlyjjohnston6207]

It was a pleasure to view your paintings and equally wonderful to hear from he stories behind them. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. May your studio be the site of such creativity for years to come! Cheers

[@kathywillis7459]

Oh, I’ve been waiting for this one! Beautiful pieces.

[@ManorandMaker]

Enjoy!

[@AvaT42]

🇨🇦 Stephen, I am so impressed with your talent, You make such beauty out of ordinary paint. I liked all your paintings, but my favourite was the Ostrich, I love the look on its face and how it is standing, quite the character! 🤣

[@kathryntrapman3917]

Absolutely beautiful. You are a great artist I love your works and found it difficult to even pick out a favorite piece because each piece was so well done . Your ability to capture it from a photo and to translate it onto canvas was so good that I thought I was looking at an actual photograph, I think that ability speaks volume as to your artist talent… well done. Thank you so much for not only sharing your art but for sharing your hearts passion for art.

[@isobelchapman9548]

Oh gosh Stephen, your paintings took my breath away……such beauty, thank you so much.

[@janehampton6717]

Stunning paintings Stephen. Very pleasing to the eyes !!! Love the landscapes and forests. Look forward to seeing more 😊

[@teresacarle294]

😁 Spectacular art 🎨 tour! Yay! 🎉 Thx for sharing some of your work-to-date. 💯% here for your 🐧avian pop art, esp. your glam peacock 🦚. 💛 Loved your diverse subjects & scenery. 🤔Think it's 🆒 that you 🖌️paint the base surround structure of your custom canvas too. It allows you to hang your art without needing to dress it up w/a fussy frame👍. 🤗 Feel quite awed by your talent and 👁️👁️seeing all your exotic 🧳travel experiences come to life. 😍 My personal🔝favorites span from your ☀️shimmering Confederation Park🌲series, the 🍂Fall Forest, your ancient Fez cityscape🌃, and lastly your most elegantly clad ⚜️Florentine gentleman. 😉Similarly drawn in by the charismatic appeal of your Gran. Also like the sense of whimsy I see in your self-portrait too. Looking forward to all the art you'll produce in your 🆕 home, & your future 🎭artist retreat. 💚 Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)

[@ManorandMaker]

What a fun comment with all the pics! Thanks Bridget!

[@lynnelanguedoc4049]

Wow you are a very sensitive soul which is felt in every painting…. color is definitely your true companion ❤️🇨🇦

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lauramclaine504]

God has given you not only a beautiful heart and personality but a gift of painting . Art is the eyes to the soul.

[@lisawayne8112]

Oh my, you're so artistically gifted. I loved seeing the paintings. The colors jump off the canvas. Thanks for sharing.

[@calicokitten6121]

Quite incredible - when I saw your second painting that you talk about I thought of Elora!! a similar park - i bet you know it!!! how cool is that and then you mentioned Fergus - pretty neat. You are both so talented!!

[@GabrielOsson]

You're very talented Steve. I am an artist as well living in Toronto. All the best in your painting explorations. I love the colours and textures.

[@roannecampagnolo4629]

That was wonderful!! Your paintings are beautiful. My favorite is the Rice Field. As the camera showed us a close up I had the feeling of being there. I could sense the friendly nature of the ladies and thought how beautiful it was there. Thank you for sharing your talent and paintings with us. Really enjoyed the stories behind them! As I live in a forest of cedar trees here in BC I really appreciated the 3 park paintings. How exciting your studio is in progress. Look forward to seeing more of your creations.

[@anamaria2053]

I enjoyed the art very much! Especially the Florentine man, the ostrich and the portraits.

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you very much!

[@Burbankelly]

Thanks for sharing your paintings with us! They are wonderful! Also, you are a great narrator!

[@paularoberts2129]

Very talented I loved your paintings Please can we see more Take care xx❤️❤️

[@mcdibbern9919]

Wow, hidden talents! Not an artist ( a writer) but really appreciate your creativity. Especially loved the Florentine Man. Hopefully la Belle France will give lots more interesting subjects. Greetings from Scotland.

[@patriciadye977]

I am a retired Professor of Art and work in all mediums of sculpture. I love your work and your clarification of why you paint. Doing what you love for passion and not money is always the way to go. Keep making beautiful work and wonderful videos.

[@joseeallyn9950]

They are very good! There is a move back to more 'sensible' (!) art these days so I hope you sell lots! I am glad you liked FEZ. my husband and I were there 60 years ago .

[@bellabompi8886]

Amazing paintings Stephen! 🥰

[@ManorandMaker]

Thank you

[@janellehansen4340]

Steve, your paintings are fantastic!! My favorite is the ostrich 😁 Next you'll have to learn to make large, glorious, chateau-worthy frames for your wonderful painting memories!

[@ReigningVintage]

You are so talented, can't wait to see more, especially portraits!

[@sallylee8851]

Just 'WOW'. Stephen you are an artist. Even the past & present masters learn new things all the time. They grow as an artist as does their work.

[@judywaters3759]

Very talented , love your contrast of colours . And how you’ve captured personality and movement in you paintings , gorgeous 🤩

[@liesavillandre3481]

I really like the one with the top of the city. I went to school for Commercial art and worked at several print shops. I ended up not using it again, but like you I do paint now and then. I do mostly seascapes, and landscapes. Lighthouses are my favorites to paint. I need to start up again. I am going through some losses and emotional trauma, but you have inspired me to start up again. Love you work!

[@sarahburton3110]

Love your artwork Steve. We can tell you’re immensely proud of your work and for good reason. Thanks for being so generous and sharing this with us, your humble subscribers and I look forward to seeing more from you and dear Sara. Peace

[@ManorandMaker]

Thanks so much Sarah!

[@nancyalford8056]

Absolutely love the Park trio, the weaver from Peru and the Puffins🤠❤️

[@rita6314]

Very gifted 🎨 beautiful paintings 🖼🙏

[@fredbear72ify]

Love your art work, colourful and expressive. I started painting when I turned 70 tried oils loved it but not very healthy. Tried acrylics I didn't care for them found it hard to mix colours, I now use watercolours, well I try, I don't think they would win any prizes but I do it for myself, it can be an expensive hobby but I have learned to use a small palate, in my 80's now I keep learning new techniques all the time. I so look forward to seeing more of your work in the studio, more creativity from your both. Thank you for sharing.

[@3lightsteps]

Artists do it for love!

[@elizabethstreeter2145]

Steve your use of light to show the depth of the city ,and through the trees,is fantastic.My favourite has to be how you have captured fabric in all its forms ,so hard to paint to get the light on the silk and the feel to the wool,like Sarah I am a fabric person and have tried painting in watercolours I can get some scenes but fabric which I would truly like to capture I still can’t.I love the way you push yourself with each painting to try and learn more.so glad you showed these paintings and your depth of talent.not many artists can do from landscape to cityscape to people to animals and birds shows how great an artist you really are.

[@babschmid]

Steve you are so gifted! Looking forward to see your studio when you are finished.

[@sharongould6085]

Beautiful tribute to light in your art Steve I’m envious and love the colors too the use of photography seems to be the impetus for the brilliance of that color along with the detailed patterns - truly inspiring for art pledglings like myself

[@PolyvoreThea]

The portrait of Your Gran was so full of your love and her personality that I feel it was the best thing you showed. But wow you are mastering texture! And, you are an artist. You make art. That is it.

[@sheraaa9169]

I could almost see the grass waving in the breeze on the weaving lady, fantastic

[@kaywallace6139]

You are a very gifted artist!

[@iamdawt]

Absolutely lovely, Stephen! Never, ever hesitate to call yourself an artist.

[@annegrozelle6174]

Love your art. Wonderful to have two talented individuals in one couple

[@andreag983]

Beautiful artwork you’ve created. Personally I would have enjoyed your art with a neutral background. The wallpaper being beautiful in its own, takes a bit over, or maybe it’s just me.

[@janetjorch9013]

Your paintings are fabulous! Enjoyed your journey!

[@IreneSonni]

Beautiful paintings! The last one reminds me so much of Canada. The trees here in Denmark just don’t get so vibrant and colourful in fall as they did back home.

[@katherineb6520]

Steve, your artwork is beautiful. I especially enjoy the pieces of people going about their daily lives. The faces are very expressive. I dabble in landscapes once in a while. Thank you for sharing!

[@cathleenbrashear4676]

Stephen, your artwork is awesome!! I enjoyed studying each piece for its unique beauty. You certainly have been blessed with an incredible gift.

[@angmacleod]

The “Fez at night” painting was stunning! 👏

[@deniereynolds6119]

I see joyous community, in peace and tranquillity.

[@andrealandsburg2080]

Oh my, thank you for sharing....your art is wonderful... you are very talented and thoughtful in your work.

[@lizslater5607]

Stephen your pictures are incredible, thank you so much for showing us some of them , my favourite was the one of the man with his loom . The colours of the silk was beautiful and it really shone . Xxx

[@shellydsouza8902]

Steve, I know you from Stephane’s vlogs of Chateau Le Lande. You are talented, and your paintings from Kenya and Chiangmai .... brought back many memories for me as a retired teacher who had the privilege of working in many countries.

[@barbaramcguire7994]

Stephen...just poured over your video library...after catching your first 3 "Venitian Carnevale" vlogs...and hit on this one... MARVOLOUS work...especially loved "Constitution II" and "Fall Colors"...the light and color are perfection...Envy you two having them in your home. I'm very partial to nature scenes...The panoramic cityscape was beautiful too... Thanks for sharing... I envy your and Sarah's move to France and the new adventures that await you..and are currently experiencing...the history and sights you've exposed me to so far have been enjoyed immensely...(and your Venetian costumes were amazing!) Your enthusiasm for it all is palpable. Thanks!

[@margaretwestbrook8343]

Love your paintings ! Thank you for sharing your talent 👏🏻

[@doloresmackenzie9451]

Fergus is a lovely picturesque and historic town that we visit to spend time with family.

[@nancyalford8056]

Stephen....You are so very humble and so Very Talented! Thank you for sharing your soul🤠❤️

[@gerryetzler5834]

Love the Florentine Man and the Peruvian Woman. Outstanding paintings. Thanks for sharing.

[@kdean9537]

Hi Stephen, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this video. Loved your description/explanation on each painting, it was wonderful! Excellent narrating & editing! You are a true talent. I found it really interesting on hearing about the different painting mediums & what you like to use and why! You really have some beautiful works of art and loved hearing your personal connection to each peace! Thank you so much for sharing something so personal, it was really moving. Thrilled to hear when you do more work you will take us along on your journey! Take really good care of yourselves, stay well, much love Kathy x💖 (Ontario, Canada) My husband's Aunt is an artist and uses different mediums as well. She has given us a beautiful meaningful watercolour painting and we treasure it so very much. x

[@pepper24able]

The Florentine man is fabulous. So much too it. Your work is stunning Stephen.