At The Red Piano Art Gallery in Bluffton, South Carolina, we are honored to showcase the work of artists whose creativity is matched only by their dedication. One such artist is Mark Stewart, a native Texan and celebrated watercolor painter whose work transforms everyday moments into timeless, soulful reflections of life and memory.
A Life of Art and Architecture
For more than 38 years, Mark Stewart has painted nearly every day in the shaded studio behind his home in Houston, Texas. Describing it as an “organized mess,” his workspace is filled with works in progress, cups of coffee, and years of inspiration. His approach is unhurried, intuitive, and deeply personal—developing compositions from ideas that often simmer in the background for years before reaching the paper.
Though Stewart holds a master’s degree in architecture from Texas A&M University, his passion for watercolor painting has remained a constant companion. Over the decades, he has built a dual career—designing public buildings such as museums, libraries, and historic preservation projects, while steadily gaining recognition in the art world for his exquisite realist watercolor paintings.
Realism with Soul
Stewart’s paintings are precise, but never clinical. His gift lies in capturing the inner life of his subjects—whether it’s a woman lost in thought, a beam of sunlight on a weathered windowsill, or a quiet corner of a well-lived home. He paints the “thing within the thing”, the emotion behind the moment, the quiet mystery inside the ordinary.
Influenced early on by Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and Edward Hopper, Stewart brings their same sensitivity to light, composition, and stillness to his own body of work. He believes deeply that great art doesn’t require a grand subject. As he puts it:
“Artists sometimes think they must have a great subject to make good art, but getting to the heart of any subject, regardless how humble, can produce really good work. In finding that core, we find ourselves.”
This philosophy shines through in every painting, making his work resonate on a level that is both personal and universal.
National Recognition and Emotional Depth
Mark Stewart’s work has been featured in major art publications including Southwest Art, American Artist, Art Talk Magazine, and US Art. His painting “Putting Her Hair Up”—a quiet, poignant portrait of his late wife Glenda—was selected for the 135th International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society, a testament to the emotional power of his work.
Today, Stewart continues to paint the quiet beauties of everyday life, often inspired by scenes around his home and the blended family he shares with his wife, Sue. His ability to marry technical precision with emotional authenticity has made him a standout in the world of watercolor realism.
See Mark Stewart’s Work at The Red Piano Art Gallery
We are proud to represent Mark Stewart at The Red Piano Art Gallery, alongside a curated collection of the South’s most compelling artists. His work is available for viewing in our Bluffton gallery as well as online.
👉 Explore Mark Stewart’s available works
Whether you’re a collector, an admirer of realist art, or simply someone who appreciates paintings that speak softly and carry deep meaning, Mark Stewart’s watercolors offer a lasting connection to the beauty of life as it is.