Alone By Redd Stewart
Alone
(not available for sale)
Watercolor
My inspiration for this piece was to come up with what I do in my spare time when I am not designing art. When I am alone in my cell, it is just me and the walls and in order for them not to close in on me is to pick up my guitar and play some old school music. This person in the painting plays alone because of the constant insecurities of his life. I was always told I was never good enough, I will never amount to anything so I play alone in my cell because no one will hear me or judge me. I have taught myself so many things without the help of others, for the fear of judgement or not being accepted. I have found out lately that I am a talented person and it's OK to be vulnerable and OK with who I have become as a person. Holding on to a scared past doesn't define me, it has made me wiser and stronger. I am proud of who I have become through all these odds. This is me.
Meet the Artist: Redd Stewart
Redd Stewart
Identity Statement
I find that the term identity has such a complexed rating system. Everything in this world has a label, whether it is right or wrong it makes everything more difficult. I find myself looking around our communities and wondering how should I identify? I am from a small town in Indiana, moved up to Minnesota as a very young boy to the east side of St. Paul. I was bullied everywhere I went. I was bullied for being white in a predominately black school. I was bullied because I had red hair and buck teeth. I loved math and reading and school in general, yet this was not good enough. I spent many days and nights at battle with myself crying just to understand where do I fit in. I buried myself in artwork, I began to trace cartoons from Walt Disney coloring books and my grandmother would hang them on the fridge. For once in my life, I felt like I had a purpose, a reason for this pain I felt. Fast forward many years, I began tattooing and the greatest feeling in the world is when two completely different people come together to share this artistic journey, to give them something they will cherish for a lifetime. I have been told stories that have almost killed people and while I am giving them a tattoo for this specific reason or memorable moment, it has changed their life. Every time they look in the mirror and see my artwork there is a positive memory behind that, and I am fortunate to be a part of that healing process. I feel my purpose in this world is to capture that "One" moment in time and hold it. Make it still, the light of someone's life or journey as a constant reminder or a loved one's face, a sports logo, a loved pet, childhood dream, whatever the story my clients have, I bring that to life with my art. I will forever want to change people's lives.
What role does art play in your life?
Art doesn't just play a role in my life. Art is part of my soul, my being. Designing art is something that gives me joy, happiness, amazement. To see something come to life at the creation of my mind and hands doesn't just make me happy, it gives me purpose. We are all the product of God's hands at work, he molded us out of clay in his image. When I create a masterpiece, I feel closer to God, I feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose and using it for good and bringing happiness to all who need a catharsis and therapeutic release. I disappear when I study my curves and lines of my paintings. They are all a part of me and with little or no recognition needed, I know someone somewhere is staring at my artwork with a little smile of happiness.