1958–2022
Born in New South Wales, Australia, Graeme Stevenson’s passion for art began at age 5, knowing even then that he wished to become an artist. He took his first art lessons at age 11.
Alongside art, Stevenson studied martial arts and bred Australian parrots, learning falconry and studying taxidermy in his teenage year. Through these hobbies Stevenson gained him a better understanding of avian anatomy. This would prove invaluable as he combined it with his passion for art, using his pet birds as subjects and starting his journey as a wildlife artist.
After leaving school he took up carpentry and became a paramedic while attending the Sydney Art College, but left his career as a paramedic in early 20s to travel the globe. He obtained a pilot’s license at age 21 and has been around the world 16 times, living in five countries in search of subjects to paint. This all culminated in his becoming a wildlife artist, photographer, explorer and naturalist.
READ MORE +With more than 35 years as a professional artist, Stevenson is both skilled and prolific, and has dedicated his life to painting and promoting the art community. Stevenson enjoys combining math, history, archaeology and nature into his paintings, which have been featured in galleries and private collections throughout the world. He has evolved from painting photorealistic animals to scenes of surrealism and expressionism.
He was commissioned in 1988 to provide every image for “The Atlas of Parrots,” which is one of the largest editions in the world regarding parrots. Published in 1991, the book remains one of the greatest reference books on the subject, and can be found in natural history museums around the world, including New York, London and Paris.
His works have been featured prominently have been featured in U.S. Art Magazine and International Artist Magazine, which referred to Stevenson as a “master artist.” Stevenson is also a dynamic public speaker who lectures on topics such as wildlife, painting, science, philosophy and building an art career.
Stevenson is perhaps best known for creating the award-winning TV show, “Colour in Your Life,” which chronicles the techniques and personalities of artists from around the globe to promote creativity and a love of art. The show premiered in 2010, and as of 2015, it is in its 11th season.
On Australia Day 2017, held January 26, Stevenson received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) “for service to the visual arts.” The award is one of the highest honors an Australian citizen can receive.
Stevenson donates his time and talents. In 2003, he raised funds for aids, multiple sclerosis research and children’s cancer research in the U.S. for the Ripple Effect Project. Three of the works were collected by former President Bill Clinton. He also established a charitable foundation, “Paint Your Life,” in 2013, which uses art to brighten the lives of the disadvantaged or physically impaired.
After a lifetime of creativity and innovation, Stevenson passed away in June 2022.
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