Lynn Shue, owner/director Village Galleries…
From his home on a hillside in Haiku, Stephen Burr captured beautiful Upcountry vistas in pastel. A master artist fascinated by Maui's ever changing skies, he brought clouds to life as they touch the opal-like sea. Stephen found fulfillment in a one-on-one involvement with his subjects. Working en plein air around Maui, Stephen communicated to us in his own unique impressionist style. Stephen passed away at his home in Haiku, Maui on December 5th, 2014. He was a great artist and friend.

STEPHEN BURR  explored Maui in his traveling studio and captured, in pastel, those moments of beauty only Maui offers. Sunsets, sunrises and light-filled street scenes were among his favorite subjects.

From age 17 to 20 Stephen learned pastel and oil painting from the famous American impressionist Vandeering Perrine. Perrine taught him how to see light - how it plays on objects and how form is modeled by the highlights. After graduating from Bard College in 1955 Stephen taught at progressive boarding schools in Massachusetts and Vermont. An avid sailor, he sailed his 36' trimaran and painted for four years along the east coast of the United States, Florida Keys and the Bahamas. He has traveled to and painted in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and the Virgin Islands.

Stephen came to Maui in 1982. His excitement about the beauty of the islands lead him to make Maui his home. He lived in Haiku, located Upcountry - the inspiration for many of his paintings.