Friday Feature: Iain Stewart

 Hi Everyone,

"Thurlow Dam from Fitzpatrick Bridge-Tallassee Alabama" 13"x9" original watercolor by Iain Stewart

Iain came on to my radar about a year ago when we were both in the Louisiana Watercolor Society's International Show.  I noticed that he also lived in Alabama so we became fb buddies and I got to meet him and his lovely wife in person in New Orleans at the LWS reception.  Iain has a great sense of humor and of course does amazing things in watercolor.

If you want to see more paintings by him check out his blog and website.

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?

My father is a watercolorist. Muir Stewart. I’ve watched him paint all of my life. That being said, I do consider myself mainly self taught. I know that sounds strange, but my father was not big on formal lessons. I’ve had maybe two or three from him between the ages of 10 and 18. I didn’t start painting in earnest until University. I am trained as an Architect and quickly moved into architectural rendering after graduation. Presentation was always a strong point of mine. I had thoughts of doing gallery work, but found myself too busy. That all changed in the recession. Looking back I wouldn’t change a thing on my end. I was able to commit almost full time to a serious exploration of how I really want to paint. If I look at work from even 3 years ago I feel that I’m light years past it now.

"The Water house, Staithes, England" 14"x14" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 Where were you born?

I was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

I’m fairly happy where I am now, but if we’re opening up real dreaming here I’d have multiple residences and do sort of a migratory progression to each one. Still, Europe, is really high on the list if we’re choosing just one.

"Santa Maria del Fiore" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

Cityscapes. No question. As an architect I’m drawn to the built environment naturally. Still, I think it has a lot to do with how different elements become layers in such distinct ways. The buildings themselves are static, but at street level you have this beautiful orchestration of movement and energy. I also find the depth that can be achieved by taking a view from the middle of the street fascinating, although taking reference photography can get tricky.

Could you talk about your painting techniques?

My style seems to evolve rather quickly so I’m rarely tied to a specific technique. I’m very willing to test new ideas and to a certain extent embrace the failure as much, if not more, than success. I tell my students if you’re going to muck it up then make it a spectacular failure. I try to hold on to that myself.

As far as actual technique goes I believe you must build from strong drawing skills. Real comfort with a pencil will naturally extend to your brush. In drawing interest is achieved by mixing line weight, stroke, and texture. This is the same with watercolor. If I find myself becoming too careful that is usually a good indicator that on the next pass I need to loosen things up.

"5th Ave from Washing Square Park" 17" x 7.5" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 Do you always work from a sketch or do you use photo references?

Both. A camera is invaluable when time is limited or you want to document a lot of information. The problem that arises when only using a camera is I find that I don’t actually become immersed in a subject. I need to work on location to continue to learn how to simplify what I see and get at the heart of the subject. I don’t think this can be done by only referencing photography. The work I do on site is selfish and all about me and how I see things. I know it will rarely be viewed by others. It’s my favorite work.

How did you arrive at your current style?

This is where we do get back to my father. He likens my artistic education to that of a farmer’s son. The son watches the father milk the cows and bring in the hay, or what have you, and he learns how to do those tasks. I’ve watched my father paint my entire life and there is a huge amount of him in me. I think I’ve only recently begun to paint in what could be called “my style.” The breaking away from my father is crucial in claiming my own style. I think it’s safe to say I don’t paint like him now. You’ll always see a little Muir in my work and I’m happy in that, but it’s more important that you see me.

"Sunlit Corner NYC No 1" 10" x 14" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Ok, these keep coming. Muir Stewart. www.muirstewart.com See what I mean?

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your well being/success as an artist?

Drive. The need to paint. Taking joy in the process of painting and allowing yourself to be selfish without feeling guilty about it. That last one requires a very special partner in life. Painting time is my time. It’s my job, but it’s more than that. It changes how I view the world. Once you learn how to use your artist’s eye you can never go back. Most importantly you have to enjoy, and I mean damned well love, what you do.

"St. Charles Line at 4th" 15.5" x 6.5" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

Winsor and Newton without a doubt. My go to colors are cobalt blue, burnt siena, french ultramarine, raw umber, yellow ochre, light red, alizarin crimson, and neutral tint.

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

Can you do watercolor in zero gravity? I made a 5 year plan 3 years ago. I’ve checked a lot of dreams as realized off of that list. I am unbelievably thankful for the direction my career is moving in. Quite simply I want to make a comfortable living doing what I love. I think that’s dreaming big. Ok, and maybe a few homes scattered here and there where I could have a sort of traveling artists colony thingy set up. Also a sailboat. A big one.

"Tallassee Alabama No 2" 10" x 6" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

Plastics my boy. There’s a future in plastics. Seriously though, don’t do it unless you love it and be prepared to do other things in support of it. Find someone who is abundantly patient and don’t ask them to look at your work as soon as they walk in the door. Most importantly, enjoy it. I don’t subscribe to the tortured artist thing myself. It seems to work for Morrissey, but I have to like what I’m doing.

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?

Paint a sky a day.

 SPEED ROUND!

Chocolate or vanilla? Both.

Sunny beach or rustic mountain retreat? Both- preferably one after the other and repeat.

Book or movie? Book before movie.

Favorite author? P.G. Wodehouse.

"Dirty Santa" original watercolor on paper by Iain Stewart

 Favorite movie? At this time of year? Bad Santa.

Romance or comedy? Comedy.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Rocky Road.

Night owl or morning person? I’ve had a lot of fun over the years taking the night owl side on in to morning, but nowadays. Morning person.

Cake or Cupcakes? Both.

Thank you so much Iain:)  Wonderful interview!

 Carrie

I'm still running my Holiday Sale this week, the USPS assures me there is still time:)) Great gift starting at $15 and originals starting at $100.

Norman Rockwell Behind the Camera

Hi Everyone,

If you could have any super power what would it be?  Okay, I'm going to tell you mine, but don't think I'm too strange:)  I have always wished I could make myself invisible and be able to slip through walls in this state.  Why? you ask?  Because I love to see people's homes, how they decorate.   Maybe it goes back to my roots as an Interior Designer, but I just love taking a tours of homes.  So when I stumbled across this book "Norman Rockwell Behind the Camera", I was instantly interested.

This book gives you the inside scoop on how he set up his paintings.  His models and the stories he told in his paintings.  As the daughter of a photographer I always thought you wanted to spontaneously catch a moment, and that creeps into my thoughts on paintings sometimes.  However, one of my favorite things to do is set up a still life and photograph it.  So I just loved seeing Norman Rockwell's process. I'm sure this will have an influence on how I set up my paintings in the future.

I'd love to hear how you set up your paintings.  What does the behind the scenes look like in your artistic space?

Carrie

Carterville High School

Hi Everyone,

original watercolor 24 x 36 SOLD

I wanted to share with you the commissioned painting that I've been working on.  I can happily say that the client received the painting and is thrilled with it.  It was an honor to be asked to paint this piece.  I graduated from Carterville High School so this was close to my heart.  This year was the last class that will graduate from this building.  No other students will walk down the un-air-conditioned hallowed halls.  I will say after working with the super superintendent on this project that he was the perfect person to undertake building the new high school.  The new school is beautiful and he really worked hard to keep the history of the old school alive.  Some of the architectural details of the old high school have been preserved and put on display in the new school.

I'm very proud that my painting will be hung in the new school to remind everyone of Carterville's history.

Last Day for this auction June 28 SOLD

Carrie

Carterville High School

Carterville High study, 8x10 watercolor on paper

Carterville High drawing of the high school 24 x 36 This is the actual drawing I used for the painting.

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had  a terrific weekend.  It's extremely hot in Alabama.  We've been in the 100's.  It's great weather for swimming but not much else.  So we've had the boys in the pool non-stop, Summer is definitely here:)

Today I'm going to share a study that I've done for a project I've been working on.  I did this study just to show color and style the drawing below is the drawing I used for the painting.   The study is a small painting of the high school I graduated from, class of '94, I guess soon I'll have to clarify and say 1994.  They have built a new beautiful high school and are in the process of tearing the old one down.  Bittersweet, the building has been there since 1924 and  I really think the up and coming classes should have to suffer through in the non-air conditioned building just like every other Carterville High graduate.  I was commissioned by the superintendent of the schools paint a picture of the old high school to be hung in the new high school.  I'm very honored.  I have finished the commission and will reveal that at a later date, until then here is a little glimpse of the project.

A huge celebration has been planned in Carterville to say good bye to the old high school and open the new one.  Some amazing ladies (Sheri Hunter and Jennifer Spence)  have been working on a book about Carterville and that will also be launched during the celebrations.  They have a jammed packed day full of activities and I'm excited to make the trek to attend. 

I'm hoping to paint a few things this week so check back I may have several posts:)

Carrie