Rising Stars: Meet Stevon Lucero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stevon Lucero.

Stevon’s incredible journey began when he was in the third grade. This is when he had his first vision that altered the way he saw life and later inspired the painting he called Ohm. Please read the story here. https://metastudio7.wixsite.com/stevonluceroarchives/the-vision-that-inspired-ohm.

Since then, he has experienced a multitude of lucid dreams and visions and ventured quite often into separate realities. Many of these experiences can be found in his website:
https://metastudio7.wixsite.com/stevonluceroarchives/stories.

When Stevon turned 18, his mother gave him an oil paint set because she wanted him to become an artist. He too had an intense desire to paint. He studied art in college at the University of Wyoming. When he had his first art show he was asked what his style of painting was. He came up of Metaphysical Realism which he later shortened to Metarealism. Stevon had been guided to create two unique art forms: Metarealism and Neo-Precolumbian or Aztec art.

Stevon passed on to the world beyond this one on November 2021. Below is the final Bio written by his daughter Tana Lucero.

Stevon Lucero was a vibrant, unique, and valuable member of the Denver Community. He lived and worked in Denver since 1976 when he moved his small family from Laramie, Wyoming to “the big city.” With a unique vision and voice, he quickly became an active participant in the growing Denver art scene. He helped to create the dynamic Latino arts organization, CHAC, which anchored and facilitated the exciting revitalization of Santa Fe Drive.

His art and his personality have inspired generations of artists. He lovingly, generously provided his experience and advice to dozens and dozens of young Creatives looking for a mentor, and not just in his field of visual art. He has been a beacon and an inspiration to young writers, musicians and actors as well. Articulate and thoughtful, he helped both l young and old people to learn to express their inner artist; to appreciate the magic and beauty that exists in any act of creation; to recognize the vital importance that every voice brings to the community table. His art, his philosophies, and his compassion made him an asset to everyone in this city, regardless of race or status. He was loved, respected and will be deeply missed by so many people in this community.

He contributed his passion and love, via his art, to Denver and the world for nearly his entire adult life. His paintings have been presented to world leaders as gestures of friendship and unity. He has been an unofficial ambassador of goodwill and an example of Denver’s pioneering energy throughout his travels in this world. Meeting and teaching people from all walks of life, he exemplified the optimism, the individualism, and the determination that have been the foundational principles of this wonderful city, Denver.

His last major project was a room in Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station, which opened in Denver in September 2021. His thoughtful contribution to this collective Artscape was filled with the dreams of his entire lifetime; visions and prayers rendered in glorious colors from a Master’s brush. His work was and always will be a glimpse into the mind and soul of a man dedicated to the spirit, and committed to learning. His work is a dialogue with the Universe and he kindly lets the rest of us listen in.

Stevon Lucero passed away on Sunday, November 28th, exactly one year and one day after his mother, Ruth Gonzales passed away. He was 72.

In my own mind, he was something of a landmark; a human entity which was more than the sum of his parts. He represented an iconic belief in the powers of the human imagination. It is unreal to me that he is gone from his easel, gone from his books, gone from this world. I look at his paintings and he is so present, so alive that I reach for the phone to talk to him; to share something new I’ve learned or ask him what he thinks of this or that.

And I will. Later, when the oil paint is finally, finally dry and we meet again in the Land of Spirit and Light.

By Tana Lucero

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road for Stevon Lucero. He was extremely dedicated to his art and painted every single day except on Sabbath Saturdays and when he was laid up in the hospital. He and his art were loved by all, but he didn’t make enough money to support both his family and buy new art supplies to make more art. Because of this, he often saw himself as a failure. Of course, this wasn’t true, but his inner voice wouldn’t let up.

Stevon was insecure and down on himself for many reasons, some of which came from early rejection, and real trauma and abuse. This caused friction between him and his wife who stood with him and went through all the years with him as he slowly worked it all out. It took almost his whole life for Stevon to work through all that he went through in his youth.

As he grew older, Stevon was plagued with horrific nightmares. He didn’t know if they were caused by some of his medicines or if they were demons out to tempt and harass him. They disturbed and disrupted his sleep, to say the least. Stevon in his waking state during this time had become very happy with his Catholic religion which was new to him. He had always been best friends with Jesus but became a Catholic through his daughter Tana. He loved to read the Saints and very much became something like a Saint himself. Stevon was extremely happy with his family and was so proud of all of them.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Stevon Lucero had been painting for over fifty years before he passed in November 2022. Since childhood, he experienced lucid dreams and visions and ventured more than once into separate realities. Through these revelations and studies of metaphysical, philosophical, and historical media, he had been guided to create two unique art forms: Metarealism and Neo-Precolumbian or Aztec art. Stevon was on a spiritual journey. More than a visual artist he was in truth, a philosopher artist. Each painting reflected a metaphor of his own internal dialogue between himself and God. Each piece tells a story in which the ultimate intent and value lies in the future when people will have a greater understanding and appreciation for true spiritual art.

Some of his highlights were his series of art shows in Ivy League Colleges, His gigantic Mural for the Monteczuma Exhibit at the Museum of Nature and Science, His room at Meow Wolf, and his long-standing room at CHAC Gallery which he showed his new art every month for many years.

One of Stevon’s other favorite achievements was his organization CHAC which means Chicano Humanities and Arts Council which he Co-Founded with Lalo Delgado, Carlos Santisteven, Jerry Lawson, Fred Sanchez, Lorenzo Trujillo, Al Sanchez, Carlos Sandoval, Jerry Jaramillo, Don Cardenas, Lorenzo Trujillo, Al Sanchez, Carlos Sandoval, Jerry Jaramillo, and Don Cardenas. CHAC has been around for 40 years and is still going

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Everything you need to know about Stevon Lucero can be found on his website. www.stevonlucero.com. His website includes information about him. Photos of his paintings, his stories and poems. His paintings can currently be seen in the Galleri at Meow Wolf until May 27, 2022. His painted room in Meow Wolf is there permanently.

Contact Info:

• Email: metastudio@msn.com
• Website: www.stevonlucero.com
• Facebook: @metastudio