His faithful commune with nature began in early boyhood and lasted his entire life, providing the inspiration for thousands of exquisite paintings.  Proficient in a variety of media, Stevens’ poetic vision is reflected in oil, tempera, watercolor and pastels that he crafted by hand.

His quiet intelligence, keen vision, modernist disposition and technical mastery are seen throughout his body of work.  Stevens drew and painted simultaneously in two styles -- one abstract, influenced by Klee and Kandinsky, and the other a lyrical body of work that is more traditional.  He was a pioneer of modernism in the American South, and his representational work and objective abstractions reflect his deep love of nature, particularly the bayou and mountains.  He easily translated the geometry he found in nature into non-objective abstractions as well.

Will Henry Stevens had a profound love of nature that permeated his work throughout his life. In thinking about a way to honor the memory of Stevens beyond his paintings I knew it had to involve nature.

I have created a Will Henry Stevens Revolving Loan Fund to benefit the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. Both non-profit organizations are dedicated to the protection of the Appalachian landscape and its manificent nature resources for present and future generations. A percentage of his sales is donated to this fund.

John E. Cram
Director, Blue Spiral 1