Stephen Voorhees, Shirt Maker And Ballard Silk-Screen Artist

"Neon Shirtworks" is the name Stephen Spillers Voorhees gave his business, a bright spot since 1981 at 5210 Ballard Ave. N.W.

The Seattle artist also might have applied the word "neon" to himself, suggesting as it does a glow-in-the-dark brilliance charged with an upbeat attitude.

"He really saw the world differently than most people," said his brother, Richard Voorhees of Seattle. "He was fascinated by everything, the world and the people in it. A lot of who he was was expressed in what he did."

Mr. Voorhees made custom T-shirts. But they weren't just any T-shirts. They were political cartoons on cloth. Some were history lessons. They most certainly were high folk art.

His mother, Anne Voorhees of Seattle, said he always had seen the world with an artist's eye.

Mr. Voorhees, who died of colon cancer July 24 at 47, created his own comic books in high school.

A bachelor's degree in American history from Brown University and years of experience as a photographer only enhanced the unusual work he later did with paint, pencils and a silk-screen press.

Out of college, Mr. Voorhees tried getting by on his paintings and on making painted backings for mirrors. But he finally settled on the artistic T-shirt idea.

"He wanted to be his own boss and didn't need a lot of money," said his mother. "He could move at his own pace."

He also loved nature and visiting the family cabin near Crystal Mountain. This involvement led to a concern with preserving old forests.

"He was a great liberal," his mother said. "He did a lot of T-shirts on those themes."

Mr. Voorhees also liked inventing things, such as a "neon" silk-screen ink that glows in the dark, said his friend Bob Ferguson.

"He did a lot of other artwork, as well," Ferguson said. "He did the T-shirts to support his art.

"He had such a great sense of humor. He's going to be missed by a lot of people on Ballard Avenue."

Mr. Voorhees' other survivors include his wife, Dina Wilson; son Sebastian Voorhees; sister Diane Voorhees; and brothers David, John and Richard Voorhees, all of Seattle. His father, Judge Donald S. Voorhees, predeceased him.

Services were held yesterday.

Remembrances may be made to the Pilchuck Audubon Society, c/o Martin Rand, 12031 Northup Way, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98005.