Steve Nethercott:Mormon Artist
Steve Nethercott is a Mormon artist (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) whose work appears on posters favored by young Latter-day Saints. Nethercott uses a combination of classical art and graphic special effects to create "heroes" posters of standout people from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
- Nethercott has posters that ask “Who is Your Hero?” across the bottom of scriptural heroes like Ammon; the Army of Helaman; Mary, the Mother of Jesus; the Daughters in the Wilderess; Captain Moroni; Enos; Nephi Hunting. He also has heroes of the American founding like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. [1]
Nethercott was born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to a family of artists. His father, Phill Nethercott, is a successful western landscape artist currently displaying work in Jackson Hole, Scottsdale, Vail, and Santa Fe galleries. Nethercott accompanied his father into the outdoors and painted alongside him, even when he was very young.
Nethercott earned a BFA in graphic design at Brigham Young University-Idaho. After graduation, he started his own graphic design business. For nine years he worked in the commercial art world completing high-end design projects for large clients such as Hewlett Packard, SBC communications (AT&T) and World Lending Group. His business endeavors took him to a number of major U.S. cities. However, he still had a love for classical art and illustration. He painted continuously when he wasn't working to fine-tune the artist's touch. Principles of design stand out as of paramount importance in his work.
At some point Nethercott began to reflect upon the inspiring artwork that hung on the walls of his own bedroom as a youth, portraits of the General Authorities of the LDS Church. Wanting to create something uplifting that would inspire youth, he came up with the "Who is Your Hero?" idea, the fruition of which would produce posters with high-quality design and artistic characteristics that would nonetheless appeal to youth of modern sensibilities. Nethercott's art would suit any fantasy book cover, and yet has layers of technique that tempt the educated eye. He uses various digital illustration techniques to achieve the look and feel he desires. He credits the success of these posters to the general lack of 'real heroes' we have in the world today.
