La vie quotidienne: Scenes from Paris to Provence

Moments captured from la vie quotidienne, or daily life, are the inspiration for this group of French paintings. Stevens' penetrating eye catches his subjects in the rhythms of their daily lives, in surroundings both picturesque and intimate. We follow his travels from the grand boulevards and bridges of Paris to the hilltop villages and resplendant valleys of Provence. His luminous, vibrant scenes of a Parisian alley at dawn, the impromptu theater of a sidewalk café, and the colorful energy of a Provençal market transport us to lives imagined, rich in tradition and culture. We want to linger in these places––lost to the interplay of light, color, texture and imagination.

Artist's statement: My first visit to France was in 1978 when as a young artist, I traveled to Paris and Brittany to study art and paint. It was a defining moment for me as a painter: an awakening of my senses and the beginning of a love affair with France. I had never encountered such an intense mix of color, light and texture––combined with the spirit of French culture and history. It was intoxicating. The magic of that first experience continues with every return visit. Art is born from inspiration and heightened awareness. These paintings are a reflection of a place that never ceases to inspire me.