Marsha Stewart

        “Elementary teacher by day, artist by night” was Marsha Stewart’s job description for nearly 30 years. A self-taught artist, she has been selling her work since the 1960s, doing both landscape and figurative painting. “Art was always just something I did. I can’t remember not drawing and painting. My mom was very talented and both my parents were very encouraging,” she stated.

        With the help of her husband, Stewart began showing at the Bridge Festival in Mansfield in its early days, selling her bridges and landscapes to many supportive customers from Chicago. Later, she began to do commission work painting house portraits for local residents. Many of the houses in Edgewood Grove were the subjects of those paintings.

        Word of mouth recommendations led to portraits of homes outside Terre Haute in Indiana, as well as in Illinois, New York, Florida, Oregon and Washington state. Local landmarks such as former high schools, Herm Rassel’s store on 7th St, and the church at St. Mary of the Woods were also commissioned. A large painting of the Rod and Gun Club and of its former owner, Bob Johnson, was a source of great pride and satisfaction. One of Stewart's sentimental favorites was also a bridge at St. Mary’s where a local couple’s engagement took place.

        In the last few years, Stewart has become inspired by the colors and culture of the Southwest. Most of her recent work has been Southwest art with an emphasis on the sacred and on female portraiture. This has led to a series of Spanish angels, many of whom wear a turquoise cross to honor Stewart’s late mother, Polly. The cross, a gift from Stewart’s father, was one of her mother’s favorite pieces of jewelry. Other new ventures include assemblages, painted nichos, floorcloths and crosses. Since 2003, Stewart’s work has been sold through a gallery and a shop located in Tubac and Tucson, Arizona.

        Exhibiting is a new experience for Stewart, and she appreciates the opportunities given her by the Wabash Valley Art Guild. She’s extremely gratified when her work sells, especially because many of her customers have become friends. Since joining the Guild, she’s shown locally at the Guild’s Spring Show, Community Theater, Coffee Grounds and at the Bicentennial Art Center’s juried show.

        In 2009 Wabash Valley Art Guild Show she took home first place in the mixed media category for “What might Have been” as well as the Artists' Choice for this piece. It is an elaborate collage on an antique breadboard. It was inspired by the life experiences of a friend. Another painting, “Finding Peace... Hearing Angels,” was inspired by an Anton Chekov quote. Look for “the sky sparkling with diamonds!”

Copyright 2009