October at Well + Wonder is the month of new artist launches, and tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time, we have the privilege of formally introducing someone very special to you all...welcome, Emily Stewart! As a child, Emily had a penchant for creating messes, rearranging furniture on a whim, and playing her bassoon far above tolerable decibel levels. Believing she needed to "grow up," she earned an accountancy degree from LaGrange College and entered the corporate world. A dream of a creative life still called her, so she resigned during the pandemic and returned to her native Brunswick, Georgia to start over — on her own terms this time. Today, she serves homeowners and businesses alike through her art, design, and installations. She explores color, movement, and texture through an intuitive and layered process, using bold colors and experimental applications of acrylics, mixed media, and oil pastels. She hopes her work inspires others to approach life with a childlike curiosity and imagination. Her first collection "Weekend At Grandma's" hits our gallery tomorrow, but today y'all can read all about this fun gal below. Welcome to the team, Emily!
What is currently on your nightstand?
A stack of books and enough water cups to fill a small pool. An antique oval glass dish from my grandfather. Most importantly, my emotional support tub of Aquaphor.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Working in the design field has exposed me to countless artists, designers, textile manufacturers, and other creatives who do wonderful work. Creatively, I'm inspired by Walt Disney. He imagined something that didn’t exist and created it out of thin air. The scale, craftsmanship and risk is inconceivable. I highly recommend taking the time to watch The Imagineering Story.
I could write a five-paragraph essay about the people who have inspired me on a personal level. The top of my list includes my mother and grandfather. Their love for the arts was passed down to me. They influenced and encouraged me greatly. It is invaluable to have someone affirm your dreams and remind you what you're capable of becoming.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I've been creating as long as I can remember. We didn’t have a fabric store in my hometown, so we would drive an hour away to Jo-Ann Fabrics when I was learning to sew. I wanted to make a pair of jeans, so I spent hours cutting and sewing a denim fabric with embroidered butterflies using my current pants as a template. I did not allow room for the hem and cried when they wouldn’t fit, insisting we needed more fabric at 10 PM. I ended up stuffing them and having a large pants pillow on my bed for a long time.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
A long handled flat brush. The longer handle relaxes the grip allowing a more impressionistic and whimsical result. My style wouldn’t be my style without it!
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My living room. I live in a historic craftsman style home with the original wood trim that has never been painted. The walls are painted Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball with a functional and fabulous indoor/outdoor leopard print rug. I also have my favorite piece of furniture in this room: a German folk art bridal cabinet, handpainted tongue and groove pine.
What is your biggest score online?
My friends and family know I am constantly scouring Facebook Marketplace. I will drive hours if it’s good enough. My best find to date is my German bridal cabinet in my living room. I had been searching for one for over a year and found one in mint condition 3 hours away for $350. It has the year the couple would have been married with hand-painted folk art floral motifs. It felt like a gift from the Facebook Marketplace gods specifically for me.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
Gosh, there are so many good ones. I love impressionism, so Musée d’Orsay and the MFA in Boston are a must see. The Accademia, Galleria Borghese and the British Museum also make the list. Galleria Borghese is the Borghese family's personal collection which I find fascinating. It features both paintings and sculptures, as well as an interior that rivals the beauty of the pieces it houses.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
I grew up going to The Homestead in Virginia with my family. At the time, it captured what I picture as quintessential Southern hospitality. I loved the traditional architecture, patterns and finishes long before I even knew what that was. Some women want diamonds — I want a traditional chintz in an unexpected color way and a funky cut velvet.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
I am indifferent to red or pink as long as it’s matte.
I can never get on a plane without....
Snacks. Our family was blessed to be tall and lanky, but do not be fooled we like to eat.
How did you get into the world of art?
I have been exposed to art, writing and music since I was a child. My grandparents played the piano and organ together for 40 years at our church. I thought every family had various instruments at their fingertips.
My mother made it a priority to tackle anything I was interested in. I took art, sewing, bassoon and piano lessons as a child. Art has always been a huge part of my life, but it wasn't until the pandemic that I realized I could pursue my creative interests as a profession.
What do you do to relax?
I am a doer. I don’t sit down well, so in my spare time I work on house projects or drive to the beach to look for shark teeth. Living in an old house means there is always another home project to be done.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
Not one specific location or time. I'm struck late at night, in the shower, on vacation, traveling, surrounded by other creatives, or while experiencing details in nature. There is a lot of chatter in my brain most of the time, so I write my ideas down everywhere.
Prediction for the Color of 2027?
Are people going to hate me if I say colors of the year are click bait? We stopped listening after Cloud Dancer. How about something cool like Vermillion?
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night? Dinner and a movie. As I’ve aged, I am sort of a homebody. I love cooking a meal with my husband or outdoor dining if the weather is right. I like to dine and truly connect. I don’t want to rush through it like a task to be completed.
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
One of my first creations after leaving corporate and launching my creative career is an abstract floral piece in a thick gilt frame. It reminds me of a sweet but difficult season of life. It really was the beginning blooms after intense pruning. The piece hangs in my home and serves as a visual reminder of the courage it takes to change.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Buy what you love. Not what your neighbor has, not what you saw in a magazine but what makes you feel. Original art will bring you joy for a lifetime and will always be the right size, color and style.
