Angel By Redd Stewart
Angel (not for sale)
Golden open acrylic dry brush on paper
My inspiration for this piece was a little harder to grasp. I am in the shallowest place I could ever have imagined for myself, and the one thing all of us in prison have is a lot of time. What we do with it differs on the person who is doing the time. What i have learned from looking back on memories is who I was as a person. Do I like the person I was back then? And I have found that most of my memories are clouded with a darkness all around. I feel like I cannot breathe or see what is there. All my memories are like this except the ones with "Her" in them. I painted this person because without her I would be a complex puzzle with a missing piece. She was with me for 21 years and I was unable to see my guardian "Angel" right in front of me. I owe her everything, and I am finally the man I want to be for the rest of my life and I have her to thank for it. The strength of my identity is whole with her here, I am no longer a walking void, left to wander this earth in search of who I am. I am Redd Stewart; Redd because it was my grandfather's nickname for me, and Stewart because it was my last name at birth. I am a son, father, husband, man, artist and human. To my "Angel," thank you for always being there, looking out and supporting me with no judgement, and loving me for all that I am, and all that I will be. Continue to fly next to me Stephanie, my wife.
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.