Born in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1953, I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember. My father, who went under the name of Mackean Stewart, produced many excellent artworks until his death in 2010. His Kintyre paintings were particularly popular and prints & cards of his work are still available.
At Edinburgh College of Art under the guidance of Hugh Buchanan (as well as Paul Furneaux and Joan Smith) my desire to pursue a career in art was confirmed. My wife Gill and I had already opened The Oystercatcher Gallery in Campbeltown, Kintyre – winning a Business of the Year Award in 1994. We now operate as Love Dove Studio from our home in Kilmartin, Argyll.
I was asked to do photography work for a well-known Argyll wedding venue in 2010 and photographed at over 100 weddings for them as well as a growing number for other venues, and with some considerable success. However, painting, drawing and illustration remain my passion, with watercolour and gouache my preferred media for painting; but I also work in acrylic and pastels when the occasion demands it.
I have created illustrations for books and magazines (and am currently working on some illustrations for more book projects of my own), and been involved in a number of public artworks and projects.
As a member of Artmap Argyll, the artist’s open studios network, I have taken part in a number of exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations in association with other Artmap Artists. I was Chairman from 2009 to 2012, and Vice-Chairman in 2013. Our workshops at ‘The Best of The West Festival’ (BOWFest) at Inveraray Castle, were a big hit at that time.
My work is represented in many private collections in Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.
You can contact me by email at georgejohnstewart@me.com.
G J STEWART 