Introducing Stephen Stewart

Stephen D Stewart hails from Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up however in Conroe, Texas, a bustling community North of Houston. Early in his life he was introduced to the world of art via the Museums and Galleries of Houston and Dallas. This was the impetus for his deep love of art and art institutions. His close personal connection to art was most felt by his Uncle Frank Gray, who was a respected large scale landscape painter. Who used oil to convey the deep and rich culture of life in Texas and the South in general. The power of art and its ability to transform stayed with Stephen as the years progressed. While studying at Sam Houston State University for Economics, he decided to take some classes in art. This reignited his desire to paint and find his own voice. Stephen is a self-taught artist who paints in the Abstract Expressionist style. His bold use of color, gestural marks, and complex subject matter brings his works to life.

Currently, he is focused on two of his ongoing Series. One is his Alzheimer Series, where he focuses on the atomic, subatomic, and biological nature of the disease. Allowing the viewer to see his works through a different lens. Phase two of this Series will focus on the disease's effects on those who have it and the people who are connected to the person. This Series is one that is deeply personal to him, as he has relatives who have had it in the past and currently suffer from it. This was the inspiration of the Series in general. The second Series that he is working on is Louisiana: Reimagining The South. This is done by painting objects, locations, or feelings of traditional Southern life in a different way. The inspiration for the Series came from his perpetual attempts to leave the South. However, as life happens at times, he began to see the world he grew up in with a fresh new lens. Creating a sense of respect, intrigue, and admiration for the world he inhabits. Stephen feels that in his youth he couldn’t see the good things about his world at the time due to circumstances of the era. However, his life with his husband of 17 years, who is a Louisiana native, helped him see this world in a more positive light.

Who makes up your art circle?

Well, being a goal oriented person. My goal has been to have museum exhibitions and to be collected by them. So, not unlike the business world, I seek out connections to help me achieve my goal. Lately, I have been connecting with people connected to museums, art associations, galleries connected to museums, and collectors who have relationships with these institutions. These are genuine relationships that I feel will help me grow as an artist and help me share my artwork with the world. I feel good relationships in the art world are so important. It helps all parties involved. Not unlike many moments in time when artists and intellectuals were thrust together by global turmoil. Born from these exchanges of minds came about some of the world's most outstanding modern artworks. The exchange of ideas and relationships have helped transform art as we know it.

How do you expand your art circle?

A big part of my expansion of my art circle is simply meeting people in an organic and natural way. Some of my best relationships with the local art community came about this way. I have met artists in town while shopping, at the grocery store, and at industry related events. Additionally, I have a number of wonderful relationships with some artists globally via instagram. I love this because this platform has allowed me to meet people I would have likely never been able to meet. A result of this I have had some fruitful friendships with artists that I admire and we exchange ideas, stories, and fears and it has really helped me not feel alone. Often as artists we do feel alone, as a lot of our time is with ourselves. So, it really helps to connect with like minded artists who know where you have been and where you are going.

What value do you see in having a creative community?

I think it is central. We really need the support of fellow artists, art lovers, art supporters, and collectors. This thread that binds all artists together I think is the life blood of the community and central to its survival. But not just artists, the community that surrounds us as well. It is like we give them art and culture and they give us the ability to create our art. A symbiotic relationship if you will. We are able to do what others can’t and as a result what we create has real value. Otherwise all the amazing art that has been created over the centuries would not be here today if this were not true.

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

I believe every artistic voice contributes to the art world and society at large. For me, what I create is a viewpoint that is not often seen in this realm. I have found much of the art that is created these days and and the recent past tends not to focus on these under layers within our bodies and its effect on those around us, case in point my Alzheimer Series. The scientific viewpoint was more common in figurative painting in the 1800s and early 1900s. But not often found in the world of abstraction. For me, there is a need to explore this area via abstraction and I find this to be a well spring of inspiration. This can open whole new ways of thinking and understanding our bodies and the things that affect our bodies. Often science and art work together.