John Stephens Genesis II

Matt Eschbach
Aesthetic Expressions
10/26/09

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/15/1569/YFXDD00Z/genesis-ii.jpg

Genesis II is a poster depicting the creation of the Earth. Up above in the sky you can see the image of what looks like stained glas windows, symbolizing Heaven. From Heaven water is being poured onto the Earth. This water flows down a stream and off the edge into the cosmos into a vortex. To me it symbolizes the link between the divine, the earthly, and the cosmos in general. The bright colors used in this work make it very pleasing to look at.

The main thing that made me choose this work to post was my initial reaction to seeing it. I was struck by the brightness of the colors he used and by the inclusion of the mysterious cosmic hole at the bottom that the water fell into. It really is impressive how Stephens incorporated such bright colors and a sense of connection into this work and gets the viewer's eye to follow the flow of water from Heaven into the vortex.

Although Stephens' primary joy was painting, this poster was created while he was involved with commercial works, and the images in this poster are created with digital imaging.

The following info on the artist, John Stephens, was taken directly from http://www.orangecountyfineart.com/stephens.htm.
"His work has been displayed in many art galleries across the country. His work is in the permanent collection of the Flemming Museum at the University of Vermont in Burlington.
During the nineties he worked intensively for New York Publishing firms, including Simon & Schuster, St Martins Press, Ballantine, creating book covers for computer games. He has created art work for STAR TREK, TOM CLANCY, PETER BENCHELY, among other projects.
By the late nineties he was heavily involved with commercial projects, mainly resort development and architectural rendering of various kinds.
Posters, including "Genesis" and "The Lady of Shalot" have enjoyed good world-wide sales, especially in Europe.
However, painting has always been his primary passion and something he would like to devote more of his time to."

Stephens, John. Genesis II. art.com.