Stephen Wood began painting in oils at age 14, after many years of drawing. His decision to become an artist was in large part inspired by a visit to a local art museum around this time, where the beauty of many of the pictures struck him deeply. In addition to taking classes he spent long hours at the museum copying and studying the works of his favorite masters, who included Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Monet, and Velasquez. He later attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and received his BFA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

Upon graduation, Mr. Wood opened his own gallery in the art colony of Rockport, Massachusetts, and soon began traveling extensively around the country doing private portrait commissions. Later, he began traveling internationally, and has worked with families in Europe, Russia, and Japan.

In addition to his busy schedule as a portraitist, Mr. Wood also travels extensively for landscape painting excursions, and has had three successful solo exhibitions of his work. He continues to exhibit his work internationally.

Finally, Mr. Wood is also an accomplished composer of classical music, and has played the piano since childhood. In his limited spare time he has already managed to compose numerous works for piano, chamber works, and large symphonic compositions. Several recordings of his music have been made, and also some of his musical scores published.