Len served in the United States Navy during World War II. He attended the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, (BFA-1950, MFA-1952). Everett taught at the University of Iowa briefly. He studied painting and drawing in New York City at the Art Students League with Robert Brackman, Joseph Hirsch, and Robert Hale; at the National Academy of Design with Robert Phillipp; and in Provincetown, Massachusetts at the Provincetown Art School with Henry Hensche. Len maintained professional art studios in Carnegie Hall and at 41 Union Square, New York City, New York. He taught privately from his studio and taught classes at the Kittredge Women's Club in New York City.
The American Heartland was the dominant subjects of his work. Known for his meticulous still life paintings, he combined smooth layer paint, subtleness of color, and his unique perspectives and composition of simple objects such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers. He served leadership positions for the Audubon Artist and the Allied Artists of America.
Death
Everett died November 25, 1984, at Burlington Medical Center, Burlington, Iowa, after suffering from oral cancer.
Len G. Everett was described as a simple person, with simple tastes, and simple ideas. According to the executor of his estate, R.A. McCannon,"he was uncomfortable with compliments and accolades, but was in awe of other associates in the New York art scene in the 70s and 80s..Every painting was his own idea, every still life component was selected personally, every composition painstakingly studied and developed…Discussion for his plans for a painting were seldom…He was secure and firm about his work…Discussion occurred only after a work was complete." [1]
Awards
Washington and Jefferson National Painting Show, 1972
National Art Round-Up, 1971
Allied Artists of America, 1969
Audubon Artists, 1969
Berkshire Art Association, 1967
Silvermine Guild of Artists, 1966
Hudson Valley Art Association, 1965–1976
Painters and Sculptors Society of New Jersey, 1964
Salmagundi Club, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966
American Veterans Society of Artists, 1961, 1972
Washington Square, New York City, 1967–1968
Washington and Jefferson Painting Show, 1972
National Art Round-Up, Second Place, 1971
Allied Artists of America, Syndicated Magazine Medal of Merit, 1969
Allied Artists of America, Honorable Mention in Oil, 1976
Allied Artists of America, Grumbacher Gold Medal, 1980
Allied Artist of America, Gold Medal of Honor
Audubon Artist of America, Creative Oil Award, 1969
Audubon Artist of America, Distinguished Contributions Award, 1980
Audubon Artists of America, Binney-Smith Award, 1982
Audubon Artists of America, Certificate of Merit, 1983
Berkshire Art Association, Wm. A. Burns Prize, 1967
Silvermine Guild of Artists, Silvermine Tavern Award, 1966
Hudson Valley Art Association, Cornelia Cummings Award, 1976
Painter and Sculptors' Society of New Jersey, 1964
American Veterans' Society of Artists, B.F. Marrow Prize, 1961
Washington Square Outdoor Show, New York City, Twentieth Century Film Corp. Uric Bell Award, 1st Prize, 1967
Washington Square Outdoor Show, New York City, Salmagundi Award, 1968
Washington Square Outdoor Show, New York City, 1st Prize for Oil, 1964
National Academy of Design, Salters Gold Medal, 1984
Audubon Artists of America, Liquitex Award, 1984
References
^R.A. McCannon, "Estate Exhibit and Sale Catalog" Prologue, Page 3