Jeff Hein, “Facing the Mob”, 2006, Oil on Canvas, 121.9 x 152.4 cm, Private Collection
Jeff Hein was born in New Winsdor, New York in 1974. He began studying drawing at Ricks College in 1992 under Gerald Griffin. In 1997, after a four year sabbatical to serve a mission and battle cancer, he resumed his studies in painting and drawing at Salt Lake Community College under Rick Graham and Rob Adamson. From 1998-2002 Hein attended the University of Utah where he studied fine art.
Hein began his full time painting career in 2002. He founded in 2007 the Hein Academy of Art in Salt Lake City, where he trains apprentices in the naturalist tradition of painting. Hein took a 2.5 year sabbatical (2008-2010) to devote to personal study and the exploration of naturalist painting techniques.