And not as a hobby, John was always going to paint for a living.
In fact he was in such a hurry he even ducked out of high school ahead of schedule so he could get his career started (although he had started selling his art while still at school).
Not all that big on school and lessons, the other remarkable thing about the fledgling artist was that he had also never had a painting lesson.
But shortly after leaving school he had his own studio (in Tangled Gardens), the first couple of months rent free after he agreed to clean a cluttered and dirty cellar for the building’s owner.
That was 43 years ago, and now he is the latest artist to stage a mini exhibition in the foyer of the Riverine Herald office at 28 Percy St; where he has opted for five very small and diverse examples of his work.
“I had always wanted to get out of school, it just wasn’t for me,” John laughed. “I had a couple of goes when I was a bit younger but finally made the permanent break in what was the equivalent of Year 11 today.
“I hope everyone likes the works, I was aiming for something different compared with what other artists have offered,” he said.
Different has been a hallmark of the Stevens story.
He has embraced every medium – oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, pastel and ink et al – and is also an accomplished sculptor and placement artist having also produced works such as the RSL diorama of Simpson and his donkey at the Allied invasion of Gallipoli carved into the tree in front of the former Sporties. Then there are his prints, posters – and even tea towels – as he has worked hard to diversify his markets to smooth out the erratic cycles in the life of a professional artist.
Most recently he has been an enthusiastic entrant – and winner – in the Rochester mural competition and will be in it again this year.
“This will be my fifth time in the mural competition, but I can’t reveal what my work will be (the artists had to submit miniatures of their concepts to qualify for the competition),” John said.
“The theme for 2020 is Rochester, past, present or future and that gives you a lot of scope in what you come up with during the week of painting.”
His works hang in every state of Australia as well as overseas but he doesn’t mind saying the bulk of his work – including commissions – is done in and around Echuca-Moama.
While he has been involved in many competitions (and won many awards) John still has a trick or two up his sleeve, even at this late stage of his career. In its latest incarnation, that trick has included two shows with his sister Elly Wegener, an accomplished artist in her own right. She also uses a variety of mediums in her work, and the two are planning another joint exhibition later this year.
“The biggest problem I have, and it has only gotten worse, is that I am my own worst critic; it is rare that I am entirely happy with a job, sometimes you step back and say ‘bloody hell, I could have done that a lot better than that’,” he laughed.
“I am always happy to try something, mix medium or stay pure, I am willing to try them and some take a fair bit of mastering.”
Well perhaps not as willing as he would want us to believe.
When asked had he been approached to work for any one of the towns now home to massive murals, he was cornered.
Yes, he would love to be involved, but no he can’t. It’s vertigo, of course. Get him 10cm off the ground and he starts to go a little lightheaded. Put him in a cherry picker and lift him 10m or more skyward and the mere suggestion has him quivering.
A weird condition for someone at the height of his profession.
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