Stephen Duren

Stephen Duren


I was born and reared in the amber light of northern California. You can see that in my painting.

Joined the navy to avoid Vietnam (that didn't work). Eighteen months as a "deck-ape" on a destroyer in the West Pacific, 13 months in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay), then finished out my four-year hitch in Italy.

Toured Europe and serendipitously stumbled upon an exhibition of Van Gogh paintings –– a religious experience for me at 23.

Headed home to pursue a "formal" art education at San Francisco Art Institute (BFA) and Sacramento state University (MA). I earned my tuition as one of San Francisco's first licensed street artists (I've got stories).