Vancouver is home to numerous artists creating far and wide across our city, yet it is Granville Island that is best known globally as Vancouver’s arts and culture hub. Our feature artist had the good fortune of securing one of the coveted studios on the island.
Meet AMY STEWART: Abstract painter
From her studio a full-height glass garage-style door gives Amy a private view of the north shore mountains and the thriving market activity as tourists and locals bustle past.
This glass front studio is set back from the road affording Amy both privacy and connection to the world outside. And it’s this connection to the outside that shapes much of the work Amy paints. Her mix of soft, cool colours and natural shapes balance uniquely with her exacting use of one single geometric line. This combination of soft forms and solid lines is the hallmark of Amy Stewart’s work.
In Amy’s newest series Sometimes Blue, these forms stand punctuated by a receding dark blue/black background.
More from the SomeTimes Blue series
“When we don’t address our sadness in public, and when we receive such constant messages to be happy, we end up neglecting more difficult feelings for fear of bringing down or producing discomfort in ourselves or others.”
Sometime Blue acknowledges Amy’s belief that feeling deeply requires a range of emotions including sadness. Each piece in her series was given a happy name, reflecting the truth that we are sometimes blue yet, in most cases, also happy.
ARTSPEAK
I had the pleasure of chatting with Amy about her paintings. Listen in to hear about her current source of inspiration.
Click the audio players to listen in. Trouble with audio? Written version here. SPOTLIGHT | In Conversation With Amy Stewart
Five questions with Amy Stewart
1. Artists name their paintings, how do you pick your titles?
2. If I needed to pick out your work in a crowded gallery, what would I look for?
3. What influences your work?
4. When did you know that you wanted to paint full-time?
5. You recently did an Art Pop Up Shop on Granville Island. Tell me about that?
About this featured painting
On Cloud Nine
Original Painting
Mixed acrylic medium on canvas
36″ x 30″ (92 x 76 cm)
Sometimes Blue Series
What I like: On Cloud Nine is soft and organic yet grounded by linear shapes. It is deep and dark yet feels light. This painting has a calming effect for me.
How it looks on a wall:
Amy’s work is currently on exhibit at Vancouver International Airport. Her work has been purchased internationally and can be see in galleries across BC, Canada.
Additional works by Amy Stewart
Say HI to Amy! By Appointment studio visits are always welcome.
See more original works and prints at AmyStewartArtist.com.
Find Amy on Instagram.
Amy Stewart lives and paints in Vancouver, Canada
Find me, Catherine Sprod on Instagram.
Abstract Art enthusiasts we’d love to read your comments.
