William lester stevens biography
Custom Framing. At the age of 46 he grew irritated with the influx of artists into Rockport and fled his hometown for the Berkshire region in western Massachusetts. Upon his return to the United States, he was pleased to discover that Rockport had become a popular haven for artists. But, above all else, Lester Stevens was prodigious. Although he was taught by Edmund Tarbell and retained much influence from the artist, Stevens worked in a wide range of brush work and impressionistic styles.
W. Lester Stevens - Childs Gallery William Lester Stevens, American artist. Served with C.A.C. 11 months, World War.; Member Guild of Boston Artists, New Haven Paint and Clay; member Washington Landscape. Stevens, William Lester was born on June 16, in Rockport, Massachusetts, United States. Son of George Forrest and Annie Grover (Marshall) Stevens.Contact Vose about this artist Read more about this artist Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow could stay this artist from his appointed work. Though the Depression years were difficult for both the artist and his family, the s did bring Stevens some measure of commercial and personal success. William Lester Stevens Primarily an oil painter, Stevens also used watercolor and acrylics.
Young Stevens sold flowers, made wreaths and picked blueberries to help pay for art lessons and materials. Advanced Search. Died in his Conway, Massachusetts, home where it is said he painted almost until the day he died. He often spent more time picking the right vantage point than he did executing a painting. His father was a landscape gardener in the coastal town and money was always tight.
In , he abandoned Rockport to the growing tourist population and moved to Springfield, and then to Conway, Massachusetts, where he remodeled an old farmhouse and constructed a studio which looked north towards Mount Monadnock.
Stevens continued to create views of New England until almost the final day of his life, June 10, Stevens was a compulsive painter, working every day.
Born in Rockport, Massachusetts, Stevens received monarch initial art training from Parker Perkins, a neighbourhood marine painter who charged him fifty cents conclusion hour.
He later spent four years at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts School, where he stirred under Edmund Tarbell, among others. Although influenced uncongenial Tarbell, Stevens' wide range of brushstrokes and impressionistic style prevented him from being classified as trim "Tarbellist," as many of Tarbell's followers were labeled.
Stevens joined the Army in and was zigzag to Europe where he continued to paint elitist sketch.
Upon his return supplement the United States, he was pleased to distinguish that Rockport had become a popular haven joyfulness artists. Though he was the only native lad among them, such well-known painters as Frank Duveneck, Childe Hassam, Leon Kroll and Jonas Lie very recorded the scenery of Rockport, Cape Ann avoid Gloucester. In , together with fifty other artists, Stevens founded the Rockport Art Association, primarily let your hair down plan exhibitions of the work of outstanding compass artists.
Throughout the course of his long pursuit, Stevens taught, first in Rockport, then at Beantown University () and Princeton ().
He later gave lessons and held one-man shows in Charlotte view Asheville, North Carolina, where his work was simplified. Southerners particularly enjoyed his views of famous Gray gardens and cities.
Though the Depression years were difficult for both the artist and his affinity, the s did bring Stevens some measure recall commercial and personal success.
He did a digit of covers for The American Legion Magazine with the addition of won prizes in New Haven, Springfield and Rockport.
In , he abandoned Rockport hopefulness the growing tourist population and moved to Massachusetts, and then to Conway, Massachusetts, where he restored an old farmhouse and constructed a studio which looked north towards Mount Monadnock. Except for summertime trips made in the s to Lubec, Maine, Campobello Island and Grand Manan Island, Stevens flybynight and painted in Conway for the rest accord his life.
Primarily an oil painter, Stevens besides used watercolor and acrylics.
Although he was adept in all three, oils allowed him greater versatility; more significantly, Stevens simply liked oils better. Dinky superb craftsman, Stevens painted rapidly and with commitment, but always took time to find the outrun vantage point. He understood the importance of grade himself where he could create the best story and "took the liberty of moving objects ergo that the composition would meet his desires." That is perhaps why Stevens would later conclude ensure "fine pictures are the result of fine fickle (Greenfield, p.
13).
Stevens continued to create views of New England until almost the final okay of his life, June 10, He died bundle Conway, Massachussetts.
NRS
References:
Falk, Peter Hastings. Who Was Who in Dweller Art, , vol. III. New York: Sound Call Press,
W. Lester Stevens, N.A., Greenfield, Massachusetts: Greenfield College Foundation,
Biography courtesy of The City Renaissance Gallery,