James Stevenson, Untitled No. 238

- Dimensions: 37.25" H x 25.5" W x 1.5" D

- Oil on canvas, framed in painted wood. Certificate of authenticity provided. 

- Beginning on June 27th, Tori Jones Studio will feature a collection of 11 oil paintings by the late James Stevenson, a celebrated artist, journalist, New Yorker cartoonist, author, and Block Island summer resident. The show will run through August 6th. 

- Stevenson (1929-2017) is best known for the work produced during his 50-year tenure at The New Yorker magazine: 79 iconic covers, nearly 2,000 cartoons, plus numerous Talk of the Town features that he both illustrated and wrote. Born in Manhattan in 1929, James grew up in Croton-on-Hudson and worked as an office boy at The New Yorker while on summer vacation. He went on to attend Yale University, serve in the Marines, and work as a reporter for Life magazine. He joined The New Yorker as an "idea man" in 1956. Away from the title, he was the author and illustrator of more than 100 delightful children's books. Later, he became a contributor to The New York Times where he began a series for the Op-Ed page titled "Lost and Found New York." His prolific artistic practice is beautifully chronicled in Sally Williams' documentary film, Stevenson: Lost and Found, which was released after his death in 2017 at the age of 87. 

- Curated in conjunction with Stevenson's wife, beloved Block Island artist and resident Josie Merck, the show features his lush and evocative oil paintings that explore varied subject matter– from ethereal interiors to verdant landscapes and enchanting still lifes. All bear the hallmark of a boundlessly curious mind, an optimistic point of view, and a singular, delightful eye.  

- As an engaged member of the Block Island community, Stevenson is remembered for the lasting contributions he made to the small town, including the presentations he gave to Nancy Greenaway's writing students at the local school and the whimsical railing at the island library adorned with his children's book characters. His legacy is also honored through the artist residency founded by his wife in Cos Cob, Connecticut, The Lost and Found Lab. The Lab’s mission is to provide a work and living space to visual artists, scholars, curators, writers, composers, arts professionals and interdisciplinary thinkers drawn to exploring the relationship between visual art and the written word.

-Available to view in person at our Block Island gallery.