CityView Magazine

“Hay Street has become one of my favorite subjects.” He has painted a number of Fayetteville scenes, including one of the Market House, one of the old Capitol building – now Docks at the Capitol – and several of different businesses. Steverson plans to be downtown, displaying his work, at the Dogwood Festival this month. But you can usually find him painting at his home in the Summerhill neighbood. Steverson says he paints mostly at night. “I am an insomniac,” he says. “I usually paint from about nine in the evening until one in the morning.” He estimates that he has painted more than 400 pieces, some of his works selling in the $500 to $900 range. “But most of what I’ve painted, I usually end up giving away to family and friends,” he says. Steverson’s wife, Cindy, is one of his biggest inspirations. “She will see something or take a picture of something and ask, ‘Can you paint this?’” he says. His portfolio includes a wide range of subjects including landscapes, buildings and nature scenes. One of his pieces, of a deserted castle in Italy, currently is on display at Cape Fear Studios, the downtown artists’ cooperative where he is a member. It is somewhat unusual to have soldiers as member artists at Cape Fear Studios, according to Executive Director Chris Kastner. Steverson is one of two active military members. The other is currently deployed. “The unique thing about Brian is that he has taken an interest in painting scenes of downtown Fayetteville,” Kastner said. “He is very active in our membership meetings, and he is actively selling his works.” Like the other member artists at Cape Fear Studios, Steverson volunteers at least four hours a month. He also displays his work at the offices of Up and Coming magazine. He has done paintings for special occasions like military retirements and he does lots of works by request. He is currently trying to create a Web site to promote and display his art. Local Artist Top | Steverson’s painting of a deserted castle in Italy is currently on display at Cape Fear Studios. Above | His most recent subject is downtown Fayetteville, where he will display his work at the 2009 Dogwood Festival. CityViewNC.com | 23

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