Information provided by the Artist: Born in Gilroy in 1945, Michael Stevens moved to Sacramento with his family at age ten and grew up in front of the television set. Local children's programming and somber stories on the evening news had a profound effect on him, informing his work even today. Originally a painter, Stevens began to create wood sculptures in graduate school that he further embellished with paint. Drawing inspiration from early television characters and events related to his middle-class upbringing, he juxtaposes an idealized world with reality. Many of the artist's works appear fun, but then flirt with our fears. Stevens received his BA and MA from Sacramento State, where he met his future wife and fellow artist, Suzanne Adan. Michael Stevens' work is represented in the Crocker's permanent collection.