08.09.2007
Painting a community’s true beauty
 |
When Billy Stevenson looks at a piece of wood to see what he can create, there’s no telling who or what might show up. Here, on a piece of plywood, Stevenson chose a flight theme with airplanes and space ships. |
Billy Stevenson has dedicated his time and talent to creating a better picture of his community.
More than 100 paintings, which include portraits and scenes, are stored all around his big brick home in South Statesville, while his wood crafts are scattered throughout his yard.
The yard art is painted firewood. He explained that the wood’s character helps him determine how it will be used.
“I’ve been doing the crafts for two years now, things like Santa Claus, Carolina Panther players and one of New York City’s skyline,” said Stevenson, 45.
“When I’m done, they are indoor pieces of art ... because I use neon paints and fluorescents to bring out their true beauty.”
Stevenson said the display brings attention to the people and the area, to push them to look deeper into the artistic presence and talents within the community.
Brittany Moncree, who walks by Stevenson’s home regularly, said she wasn’t sure at first what he had scattered in his yard and along his front porch.
“It’s a new form of art, I guess, and it makes cars ride by slow a lot,” Moncree said. “It’s something different, something that could end up being more than just his passion.”
Though he has been drawing since he was a small child, Stevenson said his art has evolved as a result of how he views the world around him.
“I’ve lived beside the playground on Wilson Lee Boulevard for nine years and know the potential beauty of the community, ” he said. “The scenes just stuck in my spirit, and, like any artist, it’s about using your expression to provoke thought.”
Stevenson has worked with a number of art events throughout the city, such as the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (at the Statesville Depot), Weekend in the Village, Art on the Green, Juneteenth and Yokefellow Ministries. He also lends his talent to churches in the community.
The husband and father of three said he has bigger dreams for his work, but first he wants to honor his side of town.
“I want to be a part of sharing the beauty of the community on canvas, and then I’d love to see my artwork on cards and other products, because I don’t believe God wants us to limit ourselves in our talents,” he said.
Among the many works of art he has, Stevenson is particularly fond of a painting he did of Wilson Lee Boulevard.
He said the thoroughfare, which is named after a pioneering leader and preacher, should be looked upon with honor.
A member of Wilson Lee’s church as a child, Stevenson said he grew up under his guidance, so he understood that his passion should be continued as a legacy.
“I wanted to paint it without any litter on the street,” Stevenson said. “Paint it the way it should look and what it should mean to the South Statesville community. ... He married my wife and I, and I respected and loved him for what he was - a good pastor.”
Stevenson said he hopes to continue doing paintings with significant value, citing today’s National Night Out event as a something he’d love to capture.
“I live here, so can you imagine as an artist how much of an honor it would be to place on canvas the joy of children playing and people enjoying my community in unity,” he said.
He’d also like to have his own gallery so he can finally pull out all of his work - but he’ll still invite passers-by to stop to view his work at home.
“It’s my calling. As a child I would draw on walls or in the dirt because everything was a canvas,” he said.
“My goal is to take what is considered menial to a whole different level with the crafts and to showcase my artistic expression with my paintings because no one else can see through your eyes unless you share it.”