Stuart Walker is a painter, sculptor, and mixed media artist. He was born in Fremont, California in 1973, but at the age of eight, moved to the small mid-western town of Marietta, Ohio. Upon graduating high school, he enrolled at Washington State College in Southeastern Ohio, where it became evident that Stuart was more interested in creating art with his close friends than going to class. The group of childhood friends would hang out together on the banks of the Ohio River, fishing, painting and collecting objects to make sculptures. Stuart began painting murals for local businesses and he soon left college altogether to be an full-time artist. Stuart did not pursue a formal education in art, but he learned many advanced techniques from his brother and mentors. The camaraderie between the group of friends created a unique and interactive environment where they could not only explore their own individual talents, but also learn from each other’s expertise. They discovered in this environment that when they collaborated on large scale paintings and found object sculptures, they were able to create in ways that combined the unique energy and talents of each individual, which produced intensely powerful results.
The collective soon realized that by pooling their talents, the scope and beauty of their artistic creations expanded exponentially, so they formed an artist collective called Discovery Collaborative Arts. The collective decided to take their unique “blend” of creation on the road, selling their individual and collaborative creations at festivals across the East Coast, as well as painting together “live” at art shows and parties. No one had ever seen art being created in this fashion, and the group had a profound impact on everyone they came across. The Discovery group had a whole different message, one of synergy and interconnectedness, a message that rang true for buyers and audiences, many of whom participated in making collaborative pieces themselves.
By 1996, the Discovery group decided to make Atlanta their home. Shortly after making the transition to Atlanta, Stuart‘s mentor and co-collaborator Stanton Brock, a key member in the group, died tragically in an accident. This loss was devastating for everyone, but instead of giving up on the collaborative dream, Stuart and the other members became even more passionate about continuing to push the collaborative art movement. They proceeded to rent a 9,000 square foot warehouse in the middle of downtown Atlanta, and then transformed it into a bonified art factory; complete with a huge painting studio, wood and metal working shop, dark room, multi-media art gallery, live performance stage and DJ booth. The warehouse also had five bedrooms and was a fully functioning live/work space, a true artist haven.
The Discovery group flourished in this environment, and became well known throughout the city for their integrative approach to making art, as well as the beauty of their paintings. The group also produced large scale, multi-media art shows in a variety of venues, with Stuart spearheading the productions. Organizing and performing live collaborative workshops created a unique atmosphere for clubs, restaurants, and corporate galas, and the group was hired for these types of events regularly.
In 1998 Stuart tackled Atlanta’s largest underground art and music scene as the Director of Visual Arts for “Late Nite Sessions,” a well known hub of the underground art scene held in three different locations in Atlanta. For six years, he produced this event twice a month, along with other members of the Discovery Arts Collective. Stuart’s art, both individual and collaborative, has been shown in several well known galleries in Atlanta, as well as in art festivals throughout the East Coast. Two years ago the Discovery Art facility was acquired by the city of Atlanta, in order to build the Georgia Aquarium. It marked the end of an era, and Stuart decided to move his dream out West. He now resides in Oakland, ready to spark another fire.
“I don’t have a particular methodology to my painting…it is an organic, natural process and I rarely start out with a preconceived idea of what the painting is going to look like. The layers and shapes that emerge begin to create the subject, and I simply build upon the imagery that emerges. So the process of creation for me is largely spontaneous. My work tends to be bold and vibrantly colorful. I usually paint in interactive environments, surrounded by my friends or live audiences, nature, ect.. It is this interaction with the environment that is naturally conveyed into the paintings themselves. Essentially the environment is co-creating with me, and the sounds, hues, images and voices within these environments often become an integral part of the paintings themselves."
“My interest in the process of creating was born out of years of collaboration with other artists. We focused on the desire for an egoless spirit, open heart, and open mind. This set of principles have carried over into my individual artwork as well. I want people to see the struggles, the discoveries, the pain and pleasure, in my approach and in my mark making. At the same time I want to convey truth, beauty, and love in my imagery. I do not believe in rules or laws in creating, and if my work follows any traditional ideas of how art is supposed to be made, it is purely coincidental.”
Gallery Representation:
2007 Eclectix, El Cerrito CA
2005 Be Original Art Gallery, Atlanta GA
1999-2005 Discovery Gallery, Atlanta GA Late Nite Sessions Gallery, Atlanta GA
1998 Level 2 Gallery, Atlanta GA Modern Primitive Gallery, Atlanta GA
1997 Primitive Eye Gallery, Decatur GA
Exhibits: 2007 The Mojito, San Francisco CA(solo) Catalyst Cocktail Lounge, San Francisco CA(solo)
2002 Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA-1st place Best of Show
2001 Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA
2000 Candler Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Alexander/Brock Memorial Show, Columbus OH
1999 Candler Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Virginia Highlands Summerfest, Atlanta GA Alexander/Brock Memorial Show, Columbus OH Savannah River Art Festival, Savannah GA
1998 Ft.Walton Beach Art Festival, Ft.Walton Beach FL-Selected guest Candler Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Virginia Highlands Summerfest, Atlanta GA Alexander/Brock Memorial Show, Columbus OH
1997 Ft.Walton Beach Art Festival, Ft.Walton Beach FL-Selected guest and purchase for the Ft.Walton Museum of Fine Art collection Candler Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA-1st place mixed media Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA Virginia Highlands Summerfest, Atlanta GA
1996 Ft.Walton Beach Art Festival, Ft.Walton Beach FL Florence Art Festival, Florence SC -1st place mixed media Winchester Art Fair, Winchester KY Inman Park Art Festival, Atlanta GA
