The Making of a Guy Stevens Painting

New Hydra Like Painting

2010-12-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

Guy is presently working on an extra large Hydra painting. Hydra is the little Greek Island where absolutely no motorized vehicles are allowed. Not even mopeds. Guy painted there for 5 weeks in 2001. It has influenced is subject matter ever since. Since he likes to paint about dream like environments, it suits him to a T. Here is a snapshot of it.

Still life with Magic Moon

2010-10-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

And once again the subject is reinvented ! This version is even larger.

Still Life in Bright Yellow

2010-10-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most recent still life with four vases it is twice as large as the "original" version and is full of yellow. It's such a feel happy painting!

The Development of a Composition

2010-10-16T13:32:00.001-07:00

Often when there is a lot of interest in a painting, its colors and composition, Guy will revisit the subject. And each time it will transform itself, become something more, something different and often he just can't help but to completely change it. Four vases inspired several more paintings already.

Beautiful Transformation

2010-10-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

In my August 4th post I said a few words about the "Beautiful Daisies" & Guy's painting adventures. These days he eagerly goes deep into a painting and holds nothing back as he discovered a fairy garden with daisies.

Beautiful Daisies

2010-08-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

This Painting is still on the easel. I don't know if Guy plans to do more to it. I sure do love it as it is now... Guy so much enjoys the adventure of painting,it really shows. His images so often transport me to beautiful God permeated areas.

Brand New Still Life

2010-08-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

Guy really does have a "hot brush" right now. I love this new one. It's still very wet. I had to be careful not to get paint all over myself when I photographed it.

Girls Loving Guy Stevens Art

2010-08-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we received a wonderful visit. Two of the girls had been in the studio before. I'm not sure how many times. They're always filled with joy and true appreciation. Their visit infused me with renewed purpose. This time they brought three more friends. They're all graduate from the College of Charleston and they were spending a celebratory girls' weekend Downtown Greenville. In the picture they are from left to right each holding their favorite's of Guy's pictures: Elisabeth B, Amanda, Elizabeth G, Lindsey and Rachael.

Thank you Girls we really enjoyed your visit!

A Major Work is nearing completion

2010-05-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Guy has been hard at work on this piece for over three weeks.

It's truly filled with wonderful dreams.

Suyin visits the studio

2010-05-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

The reason why I find it so pertinent to include in our blog, such entry as, a visitor to our studio, is they in their own way contribute to the making of a Guy Stevens' painting. The love and appreciation they give propels the artist forward.
Yesterday we received a wonderful visit from Suyin. She is from Rhode Island. She was so taken with the work, it gave us a great lift. It's one of the gift of being artist, to observe others connect with the images. It literally brings the paintings to life and transport the viewer in a deeper often divine state. Sue said things like : "I'm in heaven". "I see Van Gogh, Monet, Chagall, Grandma Moses and more". She was also the second person in 24 hours who commented: "These paintings should be in the Metropolitan Museum of Art". The paintings helped her connect with her mother who is also an artist with very vivid dreams. It's such a gift to share with other beings the divine thread that sustains all life through paintings.

New Hydra Painting

2010-04-18T17:21:00.001-07:00

Another beautiful painting is completed. I only have a couple of shots of this one. Guy must have worked on it for about 7 to 10 days and completed it sometimes in March.

And they paint some more

2010-04-18T17:00:00.001-07:00

No pressure today, the painting isn't at a crucial juncture so Guy turns the canvas over to Mom and Israel for several quick brush strokes. I love the way the child's face blends so well with his Mommy's.

Israel & his Mom paint together

2010-04-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Israel is checking on me.

Monique & Danielle come for a visit

2010-04-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

This New Landscape is very much Greek Island inspired but to our viewing public Italy is what they often see. So as you wish... Italy, Greece or France, there is no wrong answer.

Cat Vases & White Flowers

2010-04-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's the last day Guy worked on this one. I believe he is really happy with it, I know I am. Lots of patina and scratching gives it a really rich feel.

Day 6

2010-04-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

I believe this painting is just delightful and still has one more day to go.

Day 5 (give or take)

2010-04-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Day 3: Cat Vases

2010-04-18T16:16:00.001-07:00

Our young visitor was so charming! Sharing the work with our new friends is such a blessing.

Cat Vases Painting Day One

2010-04-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

This painting was begun towards the end of February I believe.

Final Day for February Still Life

2010-02-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Day Eight: Guy declared this painting complete this morning. It combines two of my favorite colors: yellow and turquoise. These colors have such effect on me, they awake something that is happy and real. It's like a love poem. To quote Guy: "This painting makes me think of the poet who wrote, "Truth is beauty". Beauty, truth is all you need to know."

To view more work click here

Spires & Mary Elizabeth come for a visit

2010-02-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Spires, Mary Elizabeth and their parents visited with us on Super Bowl Sunday. We opened the gallery before the game. First day without rain in a while. It was a really fun and fulfilling visit. Such a lovely family!

To view Guy's online gallery click here

Day Five

2010-02-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Today Guy is having so much fun and the result is a village for table cloth.

Day Three

2010-02-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

Guy is working on two paintings at this time. He is doing this present one and a repaint. He is repainting something I am already mourning over. He is fearless in his approach. Those entries will come later in the week.

To view more of Guy's work click here

A February Still life begins

2010-02-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

This soft composition has so much potential. I can't wait to see what it will become.

To view more work click here

Hailey & a Furry Friend come to visit

2010-02-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

To celebrate The King and Queen go flying's completion we had a visit from our good friend Joanna, her God daughter Hailey and their new furry friend. The beautiful Husky like dog was found lost in West Greenville (near Lois and Pendleton St.). Actually it found Joanna and jumped in her car. She is hoping to find its owner. I hope that Hailey, a young budding artist found a little encouragement & inspiration during her visit. We did!

Final Day

2010-02-04T06:03:00.000-08:00

Day 20 was Monday February 1st. The artist pronounced the work signed and sealed. It is so delightful. It is a great example of perseverance.

To visit artist web site click here

The King and Queen go flying

2010-02-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

This is Day 18. The last several days the painting has seen careful adjustments. Also Guy has spent only a few hours a day in the studio. The great work is nearing completion.

To view more work click here

Day Fifteen

2010-02-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

At this stage in the painting the artist is making small adjustements. See if you can find the differences between this entry and the previous one.

To view more of Guy's work click here

King and Queen Day 13

2010-01-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

You have to pay close attention to this entry. The difference between this one and the last one are very subtle. There is a lyrical, poetic element to this painting. It's "envoutant", enveloping is the closest word I can find.

To view more of Guy's paintings click here

By Moonlight

2010-01-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today is Day 12. By the way "Landscaping by Moonlight"(last post's title) is not the title of the painting. Its title is still evolving. When I spoke with Guy about the movie "Serious Moonlight" with Meg Ryan, a few days ago he thought about giving the painting that name. I can tell he wants to take this painting all the way to the finish line. Whatever that means for Guy.

To view more work click here

Landscaping by Moonlight

2010-01-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Day Eight: Guy worked on trees, lots of trees. And now there's a moon too. Also if you look at the last "painting only" post as a comparison, Guy now has water running through the middle.

To view more of Guy's work click here

A Happy Artist

2010-01-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

Such a natural.

A visit from Ellis

2010-01-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

It was January 9th and we received a wonderful visit from Ellis and her parents. Ellis came in first, she walked behind a partition and exclaimed "I loved this place". Interestingly enough, it turned out that her parents found their preferred art work behind that partition. While they were making their selection she worked with Guy in the most natural way. I was impressed by how calm & poised she was.

To view more work click here

Transformation: Day Six

2010-01-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

The painting has come a long way in only two days. We now have a village full of whimsical details and three figures, including a Papa Noel like character (Santa Claus). And again Guy is using some of that rich cobalt turquoise.

To view more work click here

Day Four

2010-01-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

This painting is on quite a journey. On that day it was moving in a more abstract direction. The secret for me is to enjoy the journey, and not to become too attach to any particular step. That is sometimes very hard to do.

to view more of the artist's work click here

The transformation continues

2010-01-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

It was day three. Guy has been intensifying the yellow hills and removed most of the trees and buildings. In the sky he used some cobalt turquoise. The reason I know this,
he was running out and we had to order more. This color is as exquisite as it is expensive.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Luke gets a turn

2010-01-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

Last but not least on this January 2nd, Luke, the girls' cousin gets a turn. Thank you all for a lovely visit.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Jasmine gets a turn

2010-01-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

When beautiful children visit our studios and get to apply a little paint to the canvas I feel that the painting gets blessed. A special connection is made and that's the main reason art is created. To create an image others will connect to. When the image speaks someone precise visual language then the connection goes very deep.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Cherish helps too

2010-01-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

I believe it was Saturday January 2nd when the two lovely families visited with us. We really enjoyed their participation and their infusion of life. Guy add a whole surface he was repainting using a richer shade of yellow. It was ideal for young children to be able to participate.

New Beginning

2010-01-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

As Guy begins to work on his "Tuscany" / Hydra painting he gets helped by a whole group of young apprentices. Autumn is the oldest of the group and shows the way to her sisters and cousin.

Hydra Painting - Back to the Easel

2010-01-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

Another painting gets reworked. This painting was originally created in early 2008. After taking a fresh look at it, Guy felt it could be more. This is how it looked before he began to transform it. He has been working on it for over 8 or 9 days now. I am several entries behind so keep in mind that the day of the post does not match Guy's work day.

To see more of Guy's work click here

Dean & Shaheer

2009-12-31T13:36:00.000-08:00

I believe it was December 23rd when Shaheer & Dean visited the studio with their mother and cousin Rola. As they toured our two studios I believed they made a real connection. As they were leaving I offered them a postcard, they shook my hand, their eyes sparkling with love and joy.

To view more of Guy's work click here

A Visit from Rola

2009-12-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

As Guy completes the Lion & Giraffe painting we receive a charming visit from Rola, her Aunt and cousin Dean and Shaheer. All their faces shine with light and they show real appreciation.

Day Four

2009-12-31T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is the last day Guy worked on the formerly Camden Harbor painting.
He commented on the piece: "Gold is the color of happiness, courage is symbolize by the lion. This painting has both."

To view more of Guy's work click here
or to view some of Cate Stevens click here

Day Three

2009-12-31T13:09:00.000-08:00

The painting continues to develop. A lion and a giraffe are added to the composition.

To view more of Guy's work click here

An harbor painting is transformed

2009-12-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is how the painting look on the second day. So long Camden Harbor.

To view more of the artist's work click here

Back to the easel

2009-12-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

The other day, Guy was in our family room building a fire and one of his Camden Harbor painting caught his eye. He felt the painting could be more. He took it to the studio the next day and went to work on it. This is the way the painting was originally.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Final Day

2009-12-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

This Still life has seen many transformations to become what it is:
White flower (daisy-like) on white table cloth whith a rich blue background and a transparent green vase. When talking about this finished work Guy commented: "In this style, both the artist and the painting must give up ownership and let spirit guide the flow of the brush. Harmony is the end result. But only after considerable effort."

To view more of the artist's work click here

Still Life: Day Six

2009-12-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

I am not quite sure if this is day six or five. It's December and there is a lot going on. The table or table cloth is now light pink and the flowers are more and more expressive and textured. We can really see how profound Guy's relationship is with still life. He never tires of them.

To view more of the artist's work click here

Wet on wet

2009-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

The Still life is now in its fourth day. Today Guy is painting wet on wet and developing once again more definition. The flowers are now taking a very lyrical countenance. I found this stage to be so magical. It's difficult for me not to get attached to the way the painting is at a very precise moment, such as this one.
By experience, I know that, chances are the painting will be transformed several more times before the artist is satisfied.

To view more of Guy's work click here

White blooms red table continues

2009-12-30T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today is the 3rd day. Yesterday Guy was carefully developing it. Today in several quick strokes, he took the piece in a more abstract direction. It's exciting to watch this painting as it quickly unfolds.

To view more of Guy's work click here
or to view some of Cate's work click here

New Still life: 1st day

2009-12-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

This new piece burst out of Guy. He seems to periodically gravitate towards still life with white flowers, red table and blue wall. Very patriotic isn't it?

This painting was begun and finish earlier this month. I am just now getting caught up with those entries.

To view more of Guy's work click here

A Visit from our Grand Nephews

2009-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

It's not often that we get a visit from our niece Krista. An impromptu trip to Greenville with her husband and children allowed her just enough free time to drop in with her mom, sister and her beautiful little boys. Calvin is on the left and big brother Owen on the right. They're a little young to paint and the painting is at a critical juncture. Maybe next time...

To view more work click here

Day Ten

2009-12-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

Today the painting has earned a new name. For the last couple of days Guy had been simplifying it. Today he had to cut loose and have fun with it.
Its new name is: Black Cat watches Santa Claus bring Mom Sunflowers

To view more work click here

Day nine

2009-12-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

Guy followed his friends' advice about the red walls. Although the red is now deeper, crimson like with a light wash in front and lots of carved lines. He added some small black giraffes and has been outlining many of the shapes with gold paint.

To view more work click here

Gwendolyn gets a turn

2009-12-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Last week when her brother and two sisters helped Guy, Gwendolyn and Mom were absent.
Guy asked Gwendolyn if she would like a turn? So there is the six year old painting. This family has truly blessed this painting with their love. We look forward to future visits.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Day Eight

2009-12-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday. The beautiful family that helped Guy a week ago has returned. Three of their children had helped paint the red wall around the sunflowers. Guy asked them "what do you think?" They like the progress but they all agree he should keep some of the red walls. They like the strong contrast.

To view more work click here

Day Seven

2009-12-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Today is Saturday. It's cold outside and the wind is blowing, and since we are right next to the Reedy River it's even colder. Guy has covered most of the red wall with a soft pinkish color.

To view more work click here

Day Five

2009-12-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

It's Day Five for Guy's newest sunflower painting. Now he's added some curtains and a shadow.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Black Cat under Sunflowers

2009-12-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's day Three and the painting is progressing nicely.
This painting really makes me smile. And now when I look at it I will always
see the enthusiastic children that helped build its foundation with their love and hands.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Abigail paints alone

2009-11-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

It's hard for me not to get chocked up when I watch such beautiful children partake in the creative process with open heart.

Cate S.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Andrew & Abigail paint together

2009-11-30T12:15:00.000-08:00

Andrew is the oldest, he helps his little sister.

They are having so much fun it's contagious.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Elizabeth paints

2009-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

In this picture we have Elizabeth painting. It's easy to see how much she loves to paint.

The children got so excited about helping Guy. They did half of the first layer of paint. At some point Guy told their Dad Patrick and I to come see. He said: "It looks like they want to do a lot more then a few brush strokes."

Day Two : a family affair

2009-11-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

Today is Sunday, November 29th and we had a wonderful visit from a local family. That is not their first visit. They have helped on a painting before & contributed a picture of Gwendolyn holding flowers which Guy used in a Greenville painting. Gwendolyn is not here for this visit but they brought their cousin James. On the picture we have Elizabeth, Andrew, Abigail & James with Guy.

Day One: a new painting

2009-11-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday November 28th and Guy just began a new painting.

It's beautiful here in Greenville and we have young artists visiting our studio. Some of them show so much sensitivity to the arts. They lead their family inside with true enthusiasm and appreciation.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Appalachian Spring

2009-11-30T11:31:00.000-08:00

Day Eight: It's November 27th and for now Guy's newest Impressionist work is complete. He titled it Appalachian Spring.

To view more of Guy work click here

Katie paints

2009-11-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

Now Katie is painting and giving it her full attention.

A visit from Katie

2009-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

On Friday November the 27nd we had a visit from Katie, her Mom & her Grandmother. Katie has a strong connection with the visual arts. She contributed to the painting on its last working day. Guy may revisit its latest impressionist work later but for now it's complete.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Laura paints

2009-11-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

In this picture Laura is actually applying paint to the canvas.

To view more of Guy's work click here.

A visit from Laura

2009-11-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

Today is Day six and Laura and her mom Tessa came to visit. Laura likes to paint so she helped Guy a little.

Day Five

2009-11-21T13:21:00.000-08:00

Friday November the 20th was Day Five. Guy worked on the pink dogwood among other things. We had a visit from an adorable little boy and his mom. Guy asked him if he wanted to paint, he was shy, he said no I'll watched. A few moments later he made himself more comfortable and he sat on the floor to watch some more. Very attentive for such a young child.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Day Four

2009-11-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Day Four is actually Today and is in progress as I write. The picture was taken at 3:10 pm.

"The painting has really come to life as I get into the detail of the dogwood blossoms. I'm really excited about today's progress." Guy

Day three

2009-11-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was day three of Guy's new painting. It is slowly developing.
That's where he left it last night.

To view more of Guy's work click here

Day one for Guy's new impressionist oil painting

2009-11-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

It's mid November and Guy decided to begin a new impressionist painting. It's a lot of fun to watch the development of Guy's paintings. From day to day the changes can be subtle, drastic, remarkable or it's simply a totally new painting.
That's why I'm creating this blog to document more closely the progress of Guy's work.
Often he invites studio visitor's participation. Most of the time they're young children who get to paint a few brush strokes to whichever painting he may be working on. I want to capture some of those moments too.

To view more of guy's work click here