Steven Brown

Steven John Brown (born February 1972) is a Scottish artist who is known for his Scotland inspired landscapes, culture, fauna and flora, often created with a blend of bright colours.

Born in Kilmarnock in 1972, Brown was educated at Kilmarnock Academy and began painting following a series of two heart attacks in 2012 in an attempt to assist his recovery and aid his depression as a result.

He was the company director of Steven Brown Art Limited, the company he established in August 2016 to sell his artwork. At its peak, Brown had a warehouse and store in Ayr, as well as a store in Glasgow, before the company went into liquidation in 2019. The company was eventually dissolved entirely in June 2022.

Early life

Steven Brown was born in 1972, in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock, a large settlement in Ayrshire (now East Ayrshire). He attended Kilmarnock Academy, the town's main secondary school, before moving to Irvine, also in Ayrshire, in 1992. After leaving school in 1987, despite always "dreaming" of becoming an artist, Brown worked in the retail industry until a series of two heart attacks in 2012.

Brown was the store manager of a KFC branch until he left in 2012 following his heart attacks.

At one point, Brown claimed to have had "up to 50 canvas paintings" in his drawing room, with his with Caroline urging Brown to do something with the paintings in order to clear space. Brown then began to sell his canvas paintings online on the website Art Gallery and within two days, Brown claimed that the demand for his artwork had "just exploded". That same year, Brown founded Steven Brown Art Limited, the company responsible for the management and operation of the art gallery and store in Ayr. At its peak, it employed 21 employees and had a turnover of £11.5 million.

One of Brown's other stores in Ayr, and one in the Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow had closed in April 2019. There was initial confusion at the sudden closure of the Ayr showroom and store in July 2019, with Brown insisting that the location had not permanently closed, rather, it was closed for a refurbishment process. At the time of its liquidation, the business owed £1 million to creditors after failing to pay a number of payment bills to suppliers of the business. One creditor was estimated to be owed in the region of £750,000 from the business. Staff at the Ayr gallery, warehouse and store, arrived at work and were told that they would not be paid and that the company, which they were told was "not making any money" was "likely to go into receivership".

Brown faced public backlash in 2019 after announcing he had begun working for the firm which bought the rights to his artwork prior to the company going into liquidation. He began working as a Brand Ambassador for the firm, which had opened a store which began to sell artwork by Brown in the same street in Ayr where Brown had his art gallery, warehouse and store before it closed. The announcement was met with criticism by Brown's former employees who were made redundant following the companies collapse. A former employee of Steven Brown Art Limited claimed that Brown had "still not spoken to any of the staff he let go but can meet and greet the fans like nothing happened", further adding that the situation was "a disgrace".

DGD Ltd

Brown is an employee of DGD Ltd, a company which purchased the rights to sell, manufacture and distribute Brown's artwork. Following backlash from former employees of his decision to commence employment with the company who purchased the rights to his art following his own companies collapse, Brown claimed "it is not my company and I am nothing to do with it except being an employee". On his decision to commencement employment with the company, Brown claimed his decision was based on the fact that "it keeps the art alive and thousands of people happy worldwide".

Heather McCoo Allan and Jakie McCoo Francie and Josie McZoo Lizzie McCoo Andy & Amy McZoo and The Wean Rab McCoo Angus McCoo Harris McCoo Charlie McCoo McHappily Ever After Marie McCoo Home Home Too Forest Of Argyle Dougie McCoo Baby McCoo Gordon McCoo Oor Wullie & Big Tam McCoo Kim McZoo Purple Forest Barbara, Doris & Jack McCheety Save the Ocean Families Agnes McCoo & The Weans Molly McDug Debra McZoo Isla & Arran McCoo Toby Mori McCoo Forest Of Loch Lomond McCoos in Love Sam McCoo Huey McCoo Donald McDeer Hamish McCoo Rab & Isa McCoo Oor Senga McCoo Tree Of Aura Alec & Annie McZoo The McBunnies Scottish Summer Lewis McZoo Paddy McCoo Tree Of Life Hannah McWave & The Weans Boris McZoo Geordie McCoo & The Wee Yin Bonnie McButterflee Isobel & Moira McZoo Scottish Autumn

Personal life Brown resides in Irvine, North Ayrshire, where he moved in 1992. He lives with his wife, Caroline Brown, and has three children and two grandchildren.