Ned Stern studied Fine Art at The American University, graduating in 1961. His primary painting professor, Sarah Baker, had been a student of the French Impressionist Pierre Bonnard. This lineage was passed on to Stern.

Stern has painted since graduation and has taught drawing at the Universities of Michigan and Cincinnati.

"My work, which is about life's journey", relates Stern, "is constantly evolving and changing. To stay in the same style having explored it, would be the end of growth. The challenge comes from pushing myself into areas involving risk and failure as well as surprise and success."

He has one-person shows in Alexandria, Virginia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; Montreal, Canada; Newport, Rhode Island and Pacifica, California. His work is represented in collections throughout the United States.