Local artist's watercolor graces Nebraska magazine cover

This watercolor, painted by Norma Stevens of McCook, graces the cover of the September issue of Nebraska Cattleman's Magazine.

The cover of the September issue of Nebraska Cattleman's Magazine will feature the gentle colors and exquisite detail of a Norma Stevens watercolor.

Stevens, of McCook, painted the watercolor from a picture she took while with Don Dernovich on a painting on location class through McCook Community College.

The painting is a Nebraska barn near Burwell that she painted earlier this year. Stevens' art was chosen to be on the cover after she submitted a variety of slides for magazine officials to look over. They chose her painting because they felt it helped represent Nebraska farm life.

Stevens started painting in the late 1970s, and she has continually been learning new techniques and applications. She works mainly with watercolors and pens and inks. Her inspiration comes mainly from the beauty of nature, children and boats. She also creates art from still-lifes.