March 2010
Chasing Calves and Colors
by Florence Dean
Artist Virgil Stephens has been drawing in graphite—pencil—since he was a child growing up near Globe, Arizona. He attempted oils and watercolors early on, but found all those colors confusing. He adds as an afterthought, “Being born color-blind might have something to do with that.”
He says he always drew as a youngster, but his mother encouraged his musical talent and he learned to play the trumpet. Later, he turned down athletic scholarships and enrolled in college as a music major, playing trumpet, drums and keyboard. But he dropped out of college to work at the mines in Globe, until they closed, then during a stint as a sign painter, he decided to pursue a career in art. With a family to support, he couldn’t afford formal training, so he studied the work of established artists, and their books about painting. Stephens’ home is on a ranch poetically named “Notevena Ranch” in Lincoln County. He now works in color oils in addition to his black and white, and color pencil art. His years spent as a youngster on a ranch chasing calves—and he says, “sometimes under them,” is reflected in his art including bronze sculptures of horses, Native Americans and wildlife. His Web site offers his art in several forms: cards, prints and Giclee (zhee-klay) prints of his original oil paintings.
His art has garnered many awards over his 27-year career, at multiple shows including National, Invitation Only, Fine Art shows. Galleries, including Josie’s Framery in Ruidoso and the Oso Art Gallery in Capitan feature Virgil’s Western, Wildlife, Americana, Music, and Cowboy Art.
Stephens now participates in an Albuquerque fund raiser art auction each May. The auction to create scholarships for local students is called “Legacy Art Auction” and draws celebrities like Lou Diamond Phillips, Robert David Hall and occasionally Holly Dunn who, after the auction, joins Virgil in an acoustic jam session. Their group has become known as “The Legacy All-Stars."
Virgil’s Web site features his humorous accounts of his daily life and photos of his beloved family. He and his wife, Emily, have four children, two sons and two daughters. His two grandchildren occupy a special place in his heart and on his Web site!
His Web site is also a place to see where his art will be shown throughout the year, and to order prints, cards and sculpture. Check it out at www.notevena.com, also www.musicalpainter.com and www.pencildrawing.net. Virgil and Emily now travel only to indoor exhibitions and galleries, but he also teaches art classes at the Cree Meadows Country Club in Ruidoso. Contact Virgil either at virgil@notevena.com or at 575-354-3352. “One reason I decided to teach,” Virgil says, “everyone needs to learn about art before picking up a brush.”
If you know anyone who'd make a good profile for this column—including yourself—let us know at sespinoza@enchantment.coop.
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