Archive of the Mendocino Heritage Artists
Charles Marchant Stevenson: Legends, Myths, Philosophy & Metaphysics
Father Abbott
![Father Abbott (1961). Charles Marchant Stevenson paints his boyhood mentor as an angelic presence, arms outstretched in blessing, healing light radiating from his palms. Egg tempera (22”x 36”). SKU: CS196100*](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS196100_Father-Abbot_egg-tempera_22x36_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Charles Marchant Stevenson paints his boyhood mentor Father Abbott as an angelic presence, arms outstretched in blessing, healing light radiating from his palms.
Creation
The Universe
![The Universe by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1977). S Acrylic on canvas covered wood panel. SKU: CS197720](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197720_The-Universe_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson_acrylic-on-canvas-covered-wood-panel_475.jpg)
Apotheosis of the Working Man
![Apotheosis of the Working Man (1993). A halo surrounds the Risen Christ, who during His life was the carpenter Jesus of Nazareth. Charles Marchant Stevenson's sacred geometry also halos the priest, a "worker in the fields of the Lord." The Priest, eyes closed and mouth open, overcome by transcendant bliss from recent presence of the Dove of the Holy Spirit, as yet unaware of spattered traces of the Dove's passage on his jacket. Acrylic on canvas (48” x 48”). Signed: Stevenson. Stevenson/Leach Studios Original artist's frame. CS199310*](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199310_Apotheosis-of-the-Working-Man_acrylic_48x48_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
In Apotheosis of the Working Man, a halo surrounds the Risen Christ, who during His life was the carpenter Jesus of Nazareth. Sacred geometry also halos the priest, a worker in the fields of the Lord. The Priest, eyes closed and mouth open, still overcome by transcendant bliss from recent presence of the Dove of the Holy Spirit, as yet unaware of spattered traces of the Dove’s passage on his jacket.
Remembering
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/charles-marchant-stevenson_remembering_1968_182×122-cm_acrylic-on-canvas-on-wood-panel_700x502-px.jpg)
In his article, “Charles Stevenson: The Nature of Reality” (A&E Magazine, August 1994), Gerry Huckaby writes of Remembering: “[Stevenson] explains that he ‘releases himself to visions’ while he paints, and relies on intuition. As Charles approached his easel to begin Remembering, he saw doves coming out of the canvas and through him, then circling around and flying into a bright hole in the middle of the canvas – reminiscent of a ‘sparle’, one of the crystalline fractures found in so many of his paintings. “ Charles told Gerry that he cried and cried, and when he was done, he sat down to paint. Like almost all his paintings, the design is based on the Golden Mean and expresses the artist’s metaphysical vision. Mountains at the bottom are the unconcious; the towering triangle of birds and babies are the spirit, and the bright hole in the center is the path to Christ-consciousness, always available, the path the soul remembers.
Vestal
![Vestal (1977). Charles Marchant Stevenson, a Virgo, Charles Marchant Stevenson, a Virgo, considered Vestal his signature work. His muse, Jean Spetrino, is portrayed as a Vestal, one of the priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The Vestals' task was to tend the holy fire to which all came for the fire to light the hearths in their own homes. Bringing his community together in his home, through his art, and as a patron of the arts of others, Stevenson saw himself as attendant on the holy fire. Acrylic on canvas covered wood panel (48" x 24"). SKU: CS197701](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197701_Vestal_Jean-Spetrino_acrylic_48x24Charles-Marchant-Stevenson_.jpg)
Stevenson, a Virgo, considered Vestal his signature work. His muse, Jean Spetrino, is portrayed as a Vestal, one of the virgin priestesses of Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth. The Vestals’ task was to tend the holy fire to which all came for fire to light the hearths in their own homes. Bringing his community together in his home, through his art, and as a patron of the arts of others, Stevenson saw himself as attendant on the holy fire
Ascent of the Soul: Portrait of Irma Gillespie
![Ascent: Portrait of Irma Gillespie by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1970). Acrylic on canvas (48" x 32"). SKU: CS197010](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197010_Ascent_acrylic_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Renaissance
![Renaissance by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1975). Oil on canvas covered wood panel (48x24). SKU: CS197507](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197507_Renaissance_Thomas-Whiteside_oil-on-acrylic-on-cheesecloth-on-panel_48x24_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Renaissance
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197508_Renaissance_serigraph_20x14_signed-by-model_T-I-Whiteside_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson-1.jpg)
monologue with leonardo da vinci
![monologue with leonardo da vinci by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1976). Acrylic (48" x 48"). SKU: CS197605](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197605_dialogue-with-leonardo-da-vinci_acrylic_48x48_Charless-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Tai Chi Energies
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199425_Tai-Chi-Energies_acrylic_48x21_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
Hermes Trismegistus
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199603_Hermes-Trismegistus_acrylic_36x24_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Symbolism in Hermes Trismagistus
Coal Miner’s Canary
![Coal Miner's Canary (1988). Handsigned on reverse: Stevenson Leach Studios. Charles Marchant Stevenson and Matt Leach suggest the moment when the canary's song falls silent. Acrylic on canvas. SKU: CS198804](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS198804_Coal-Miners-Canary_artists-original-frame_Stevenson-Leach-Studios_Charles-Stevenson_Matt-Leach_563.jpg)
Yellow Harbinger
employing
its vulnerability
coalmine canary
Paul F. Lenzi (July 5, 2016)
written to accompany Coal Miner’s Canary
by Stevenson/Leach Studios (1988)
Our Poetry Corner
Adam and Eve
![Adam and Eve by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1974). Acrylic on canvas covered wood panel. SKU: CS197410](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197410_Adam-and-Eve_The-Apple-and-the-Serpent_acrylic-on-canvas-covered-wood-panel_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
The Citadel by Moonlight
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199629_The-Citadel-by-Moonlight_acrylic_40x30_Stevenson-Leach-Studios-1.jpg)
Charles Marchant Stevenson views the mid-19th century Great Mosque of Mehmet Ali Pasha through an exquisite grillework window within the Citadel, a medieval Islamic fortification in Cairo. The Mosque was built within the walls of the Citadel which might be the reason the Mosque itself is popularly known as The Citadel (al-qal’a).
Surah 24:35 of the Holy Qur’an says, Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth, and likens the light of Allah to the light of a lamp. The simple terracotta oil lamp at the window is our reminder.
Through the grillework, the domes of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali glow under the light of a full moon, each dome, symbolic of the dome of heaven.
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199629_Kairo_Zitadelle_Muhammad-Ali-Moschee_04_Olaf-Tausch_Wikimedia-Commons.jpg)
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199629_the-Citadel_Cairo_photo_Momo.jpg)
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199629_Mehmet-Ali-Citadel_Louis-Comfort-Tiffany_1872_the-athenaeum.org_.jpg)
Apsaras
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199210_Apsaras_Thai-Buddha_acrylic_72x48_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
Mendocino Angels at Sunset
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199427_Mendocino-Angels-at-Sunset_acrylic_30x48.jpg)
A reminder to look for the angels in Mendocino skies. Models: Shanti Balsé and Matt Leach.
Dancer on Heartbeat
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199301_Dancer-on-Heartbeat_blessing_acrylic_48x48_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
Shanti’s Dream
![Guardian Angel (1991). Wrapped in a glowing golden heart, a young woman sleeps surrounded by angelic protection. Shanti Balsé and Matt Leach are the models. Acrylic on canvas (72” x 48”). Stevenson/Leach Studios. Original artist's frame. SKU: CS199140](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199140_Guardian-Angel_acrylic_72x48_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
Wrapped in a glowing golden heart, a young woman dreams of angelic protection. Shanti Balsé and Matt Leach are the models.
Hermes
![Hermes by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1991). Acrylic on canvas covered wood panel (75 x 49). Signed: Stevenson. Stevenson/Leach Studios. SKU: CS199150](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199150_Hermes_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson_acrylic-on-canvas-covered-wood-panel_75x49.jpg)
Phaeton I
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199519_Phaeton_I_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson_acrylic-on-canvas-covered-wood-panel_02.jpg)
Phaeton II
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199520_Phaeton_acrylic_48x30_or_49x37_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Phaeton, the Shining One, child of the Sun God, takes a wild ride on his father’s fiery chariot and plummets toward earth.
The Seer: Portrait of Antonia Lamb
![The Seer: Portrait of Antonia Lamb by Charles Marchant Stevenson. Acrylic on canvas. SKU: CS197810](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197810_The-Seer_Antonia-Lamb_acrylic-on-canvas_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson.jpg)
Aunt Betty Goes to Heaven
![Aunt Betty Goes to Heaven by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1972). Acrylic. SKU: CS197220](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197220_aunt-betty-goes-to-heaven_charles-marchant-stevenson_acrylic-on-canvas-covered-wood-panel.jpg)
Manna
![Manna by Charles Marchant Stevenson (1975). Stevenson describes the subject: a woman receiving roses from her inner being. Acrylic on canvascovered wood panel. SKU: CS197515](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS197515_Manna_receiving-roses-from-inner-being_Charles-Marchant-Stevenson_acrylic.jpg)
Stevenson describes the subject: a woman receiving roses from her inner being.
Phoenix Song
![](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS199303_Phoenix-Song_acrylic_48x24_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
A singing phoenix rises from the glowing shadow of a woman clothed in flame, in an affirmation of hope and rebirth.
Warrior Woman: Tomo-e Gozen
![Warrior Woman: Tomo-e Gozen (1988). The medieval Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike, describes Tomo-e Gozen as "especially beautiful, with long hair, and charming features ... a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain...and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors." - Helen McCullough, translator. The warrior rides toward battle carrying the naginata, a pole weapon effective in cavalry battles. Acrylic on canvas (24” x 24”). Handsigned: Stevenson. Stevenson/Leach Studios. Original artist's frame. SKU: CS198805*](https://www.williamzacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Marchant-Stevenson/art/CS198805_Warrior-Woman_Tomo-e-Gozen_acrylic_24x24_Stevenson-Leach-Studios.jpg)
The medieval Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike, describes Tomo-e Gozen as especially beautiful, with long hair, and charming features … a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain…and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors. – Helen McCullough, translator. She rides toward battle carrying the naginata, a pole weapon effective in cavalry battles.
The Stained Glass Angel Windows
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