"The Atchafalaya At Sunset" Painting

American Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Painter Stephen D. Stewart b. 1979, is most known for his bold paintings and brilliant color palette. Within his paintings there are hidden moments that delight the viewer when they allow their eyes to adjust to the works. These archeological gems are just one of the notable nuances of his artworks. He is also known for his sweeping gestural marks which is evidenced by his frenzied brushwork.


Stephen creates these highly emotive paintings by creating a light source within the work. This structure allows his works to have a glow about them. He typically uses acrylic these days but started out as an oil painter. The same techniques he used to paint with oil he uses with his acrylic paint. Which gives his works their distinctive appearance. Stephen also uses in his artworks oil pastels and graphite.


Although Stewart is a self-taught artist, he has received some art training while attending University. Also, he was influenced by his Uncle who was an oil painter. One of the most important influences on Stephen's work is the painter Dorothy Hood (1918-2000), an abstract artist who is known for her mural-sized paintings. He is most influenced by the deepness of the colors in her paintings and the way in which it is able to change with the light. This changing of the light is something that he achieves in his own works.