Posts Tagged ‘gary stewart’

Gary Stewart is a Charleston area painter and photographer.  Together, he and his partner Chad Miller are In Your Space Studio.  They collaborate on many projects, but sometimes work alone, as well.

Early Life
Gary Stewart, born in Charleston on October 25, 1962, is a unique artist that likes to create many different types of art. Receiving his artistic training both formally and informally, he spent 24 years in the West Virginia Air National Guard traveling and seeing a lot of the world and being exposed to many different cultures. These world travels and other personal interactions with the people he has met have influenced his art work greatly. Another influence Gary attributes to his artwork is religion, particularly Christianity. In short, much of his inspiration for art comes from the appreciation and sheer enjoyment from all aspects of life. “If you take a little time each day to just sit back and observe, there is beauty and inspiration all around you.”

One thing Gary liked to do in his spare time when he was younger was to sketch. His friends liked to ask Gary to draw pictures and scenes around Halloween that incorporated themes from that holiday such as witches and black cats. “Flip art” and “paint-by-number” sets are some of his favorite pastimes. He said that “paint-by-number” sets taught him how to blend colors to achieve realism.  He got his formal training through elementary, junior high, and high school along with two ceramics courses in college and, in his early 20’s, began to try other forms of art such as clay, pastels, and acrylics. His college art instructor, Bob Simile, has even kept some of his own works as an example for other future art students.

Inspiration/Admiration
Gary’s earliest source of inspiration comes from religious art work. He still uses this today and is especially inspired by the works of “the masters” such as Van Gogh. His family also encouraged him artistically when he was younger, especially his father, who liked to support Gary by bringing home sketch pads, paints, and even creating wire puzzles from his own memory for Gary to figure out. Other sources of inspiration include the places he has visited around the world such as Thailand, Korea, Japan, and Hawaii.

Current and Future Work
Gary is currently working on many projects including preparation for CAMC Foundation Gala Art Auction and FestivALL 2009. He is also participating in a major live, multi-media art performance in conjunction with the WV Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences. His main goal is to simply enjoy his position in the Art world. He enjoys producing work for other people to appreciate and hopes to be a positive role model while making a contribution to society.  Gary and his partner, Chad Miller are In Your Space Studio, and collaborate on many projects.  They operate the website inyourspacestudio.com and sell a lot of their work through Eggplant, Art Emporium, the Clay Center’s gift shop, and through their “window gallery” at 817 Quarrier Street, Charleston.  They are also creating a line of greeting cards, called “Not-So-Everyday Greeting Cards” that they are marketing to local retailers, as well as some chain retailers.

Stewart’s biggest motivation to create art is the enjoyment that others get from looking at his work.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Stewart would pass long hours by sketching on the porch of his tent.  People would stop to admire his work and often request pieces for him to make.  Looking at Stewart’s art, it is easy to understand why — his jazzy, colorful artwork is easy to enjoy, and thought-provoking enough to make you come back for a closer look.