"A Pheasant Surprise" Painting

Born in 1929 in Dalhart, Texas,Gene Stewart's art career may be said to have begun in his senior year in highschool. He was asked to paint XIT Rodeo scenes on store windows in Dalhart, Texas to advertise the event. Then he learned that paintings on the cover of Post magazine paid about $1,000 to the artist. The idea of making a living working at something he.really enjoyed appealed to him, so he decided to major in art in college instead of engineering.After graduation from the University of Texas in 1952 with a BFA in art, he went into the Air Force to fulfill his ROTC commission agreement. Not satisfied to serve the two years sitting behind a desk, he decided to apply for flight training. He was in the first all-officer training class and the first in his squadron to solo. ..He went on to become a.F-86 jet fighter pilot. In 1955 he married his soul mate, Joy Piland. Immediately after the honeymoon he was shipped to Taipei, Taiwan to serve a tour of duty. His wife was able to join him five months later.Having completed his time of service in 1957 the decision was made to pursue an art career. He took graduate art courses at the Los Angeles Art Center, (now known as Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California) for three terms. Seeking a career in commercial art led him, his wife, and new daughter, Sheri, to Oklahoma City. After a short stint as a commercial artist for an advertising agency, he took a position with.the television studio, KOCO-TV as a staff artist. Nine months later he was made Art Director for the station. During that time the Stewart's had their second daughter, Carolyn.In 1969 he ventured forth to become a free-lance artist specializing in western and.wildlife paintings. About the same time he began teaching oil painting classes to supplement their income. In 1981 Gene had an opportunity to open his own art.gallery in Cuchara, Colorado where a ski resort had just opened. Having spent.summer vacations there most of his life, he and Joy made the..move. That was also the year that he began doing sculpture, working in petroleum wax. The life there .was great while it lasted, but when the ski area closed during the mid 80's .recession in the area, the decision was made to return to Oklahoma City where he and his wife currently .live.Since 1997 he has tried to keep up with the younger generation by buying a.computer. After very many struggles, trials and errors, he has taught himself enough to design, produce, and install his web site.