Artist Statement

 

 

Wesley L. Stewart’s current artwork explores abstract shapes, lines, and pattern juxtaposed with biomes, thus creating contrast of space, traditional fine art, and Street Art. A Biome is an area of the planet and is made of several ecosystems of living and nonliving things in an environment, often formed in response to a shared climate. He is interested in public art and how murals, sculpture, and installations reinvent or altar spaces.

 

He builds his three-dimensional work one piece at a time - without strict guidelines - since exhausted in countless sketchbooks and drawings. This allows for a conversation between the material and artist or what he calls “Drawing in Space” (DiS). Sculptures are either left in their raw form, painted, or combined with other materials.

 

WLS’s also works under the moniker Regal Hyena and is engaged in cross-disciplinary collaboration with other artists. Linear marks, pattern, scale, intense color, movement, gestural energy, biota, textures, Street Art, cartoons, video games, mixed media, and materials weave into the work.

Philosphy of Education

 

 

Becoming a lifelong learner and active artist are the two anchors in my philosophy.

 

Education is a collective learning process for both student and educator. My job is to guide students to observe the world around them externally and internally, think critically, and communicate ideas through artistic, oral, or written expression. I foster a classroom climate that allows students to speak and engage freely about all types of content, personal interests, motivations, and influences. Opinions are valued. Laughter, support, openness, hands-on experience, and discussion amplify this idea further. In addition, students are encouraged to be ambitious in their own learning and responsible for the outcome during projects and grades. The structure of my teaching should build in every student self-confidence, curiosity, hard work, personal expression, time-management, creativeness, team building, and meeting deadlines, which are key skills in any field. How I teach Art Appreciation energizes me. This class provides the opportunity to engage with a melting pot of students who know little to nothing about art. These students give me fresh perspectives on historical and contemporary artworks. For studio courses, I want to give practical knowledge in tools and techniques that carry on outside the classroom and collaborate to implement a safety culture that works for everyone.  

 

Making art is very important to me. It is and will always be an outlet during the best and worst of times. Young artists are overwhelmed when coming to higher education, some with lack of emotional support. Through their actions, my mentors showed me what a professional artist is. I carry on that tradition by being a role model to my students, both in and out of the classroom. As an educator, I help students improve their conceptual, technical, and professional skills throughout their time in school and post-school, such as writing letters of recommendation. As a working artist, I can provide an understanding of public art opportunities, contemporary trends, and gallery work.

CV

 

EDUCATION

2020                        Certifications/Diploma                Welding & Joining                    Augusta Technical College, Augusta, GA

 

2012                         MFA                                                 Sculpture                                    Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

 

2007                         BFA                                                  Studio Art                                   Augusta State University, Augusta, GA

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE

2019-present                           Designer, Fabricator, Welder, Painter, Operator, Owner, & Installer

                                                   PitchTree Design, LLC

 

2016-present                           Instructor  -  Art Appreciation

                                                   Georgia Military College: Augusta Campus, Augusta, GA   

 

2017-2018                                Art Studio & Lab Technician

                                                   Augusta University, Augusta, GA

Support the department in improvement, development, and implementation of all processes in a safe manner; help faculty with all media & processes in 3D Design, Sculpture, & Ceramics; Manage student employees; Oversaw construction of new Sculpture & Ceramics facilities: attend progress meetings, coordinate with chair, double-check facilities are in order

 

2003-2018                                Designer, Fabricator, Welder, & Installer

                                                    Stewart Sheet Metal, Augusta, GA

Services include metal cutting, repair, consultation, fabrication, welding, design, installation, art, and everything in between for commercial and residential

 

2016-2017                                 Instructor  -  Art Appreciation       

                                                    Augusta Technical College: Augusta Campus, Augusta, GA

 

2013-2017                                Instructor  -  Introduction to Art

                                                   East Georgia State College: Augusta Campus, Augusta, GA

 

2013-2014                                Instructor – Art Camp

                                                   Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, Augusta, GA

Sculpture, 3-D Design

 

2011-2012                                Graduate Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Record)

                                                   Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Sculpture, Drawing 1, 3-D Design

 

2010-2011                                Graduate Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Record)            

                                                   Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

3-D Design, Art in Life

 

 

 

RELATED EXPERIENCE

2015-2016                                Gallery Co-Director

                                                   Community Gallery of Augusta, Augusta, GA

Install artwork (2D & 3D), safe handling of artwork during delivery and pick-up, labels, coordinate openings/closings plus all receptions

 

 

 

EXHIBITIONS

2020               North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College & State University. Dahlonega, GA

                         Biome Bee. Invitational. Bee’s Knees. Augusta, GA

 

2019                Biome #3918. Juried. 600 Broad. Augusta, GA

 

2018                Best Foot Forward. Solo. 4P Studios. Augusta, GA

                         Deland Sculpture Walk. Juried. DeLand, FL

                         52nd Annual National Drawing & Small Sculpture Show. Juried. Del Mar College. Corpus Christi, TX

                         ArtFields. Juried. Lake City, SC

                         Wet Paint Party. Invitational. Augusta, GA

 

2017                North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College and State University. Dahlonega, GA

                         Wet Paint Party. Invitational. Augusta, GA

                         Untitled. Two-artist show. Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta. North Augusta, SC

                         Holiday Exhibition. Juried. 600 Broad. Augusta, GA

                         Oysters on Telfair. Invitational. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Augusta, GA

 

2016                Metro Montage XVI. Juried. Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. Atlanta, GA

                         Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Juried. Polk Museum of Art. Lakeland, FL

 

2015                Seeds. Juried and invitational. Westobou Gallery. Augusta, GA

                         Kissimmee Sculpture Experience. Juried. Kissimmee Main Street. Kissimmee, FL

                         Oysters on Telfair. Invitational. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Augusta, GA

                         Influence. Juried. Community Gallery. Augusta, GA

                         North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College and State University. Dahlonega, GA.

 

2014                Kissimmee Sculpture Experience. Juried. Kissimmee Main Street. Kissimmee, FL

                         A Sense of Place.  Juried. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Augusta, GA

                         North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College and State University. Dahlonega, GA

                         Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Juried. Polk Museum of Art. Lakeland, FL

 

2013                Group Show. Sky City. Augusta, GA

                         North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College and State University. Dahlonega, GA

                         New Beginnings. Juried. Gilmer Arts Gallery. Ellijay, GA

 

2012                Fear VI. Juried. Projekt30.com. Online

                         Building Blocks. Juried. South Fulton Arts Center. Atlanta, GA 

                         Metro Montage XII. Juried. Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. Atlanta, GA

                         Drawing in Space. Solo Exhibition. Georgia Southern University. Statesboro, GA

                         North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Juried. North Georgia College and State University. Dahlonega, GA

 

2011                 A Sense of Place.  Juried. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Augusta, GA

                         Valdosta National 2011. Juried. Valdosta State University. Valdosta, GA

 

2010                3-D Exhibition. Legends Gallery. Statesboro, GA

                         Wet Paint Party. Invitational. Augusta, GA

                         MFA Biennale. Georgia Southern University. Statesboro, GA

                         Chiaha. Rome, GA.

                         Miscellany Magazine. Juried. Georgia Southern University. Statesboro, GA

                         CJX Juried Art Show. Cobb Community Arts Center. Atlanta, GA

                         Sculptures and Shrubbery. Juried. Georgia Southern University. Statesboro, GA

 

 

 

AWARDS/GRANTS/COMMISSIONS

2021                 GMA HQ Banner.  RFQ. Finalists.  Atlanta, GA

                          Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.  RFP.Awarded.  Sculpture on Canal trail. Augusta, GA

                          Fulton County Central Library.  Fine Art Acquisition.  Atlanta, GA

 

2020                GMA HQ North Mural.  RFQ. Finalists for 53’ x 166’ mural.   Atlanta, GA

                          Fulton County Central Library     Fine Art Acquisition.      Atlanta, GA

                          Kath Girdler Engler Public Art Award    Nominated and Awarded.     Augusta, GA

                          Pineapple Ink Tavern   Line and flower mural. Augusta, GA.

                          Augusta Riot Observance   RFP. Awarded public installation for 50th year observance. Augusta, GA

                          Beacon Station   RFP. Awarded sculpture for entrance to apartment complex. Augusta, GA

 

2019                Hillside Park   RFP. Awarded public installation cover for tennis court fence. Augusta, GA

 

2018                Augusta Canal National Heritage Area  RFQ. Finalist. Sculpture along canal. Augusta, GA

                         Porter Fleming Foundation Grant  RFP. Awarded murals on Eve St. & Crawford Ave. Augusta, GA

 

2016                Shell K. Berry.  Wall installation for The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area president. Augusta, GA

                         Farmhaus Burger    Decorative railing and menu holders for entrance. Martinez, GA

 

2015                Art The Box    RFP. Two painted traffic control boxes. Greater Augusta Arts Council. Augusta, GA.

 

2013                The Mamas and the Tapas    Decorative entrance gate to patio & two stainless steel fountains. Columbia, SC

                         Farmhaus Burger    Decorative railing for front entrance. Augusta, GA

 

2011                Eagle Nation on Parade    RFP. Painting of 3D fiberglass eagle. Statesboro, GA

                         Frog Hollow Tavern    Multiple wall hangings. Augusta, GA

 

2010                CJX Juried Art Show   3rd Place. Cobb Community Arts Center. Atlanta, GA

                         MyArtworkSpace.com.   Honorable Mention.

                         Georgia Southern Newspaper.  RFP. Children coloring section for University fans, family, and community. Statesboro, GA

 

2006                Tribeca Bar & Lounge  Decorative Metal Tables. Augusta, GA

 

2004                Waynesboro Country Club  Mural. Waynesboro, GA

 

 

 

COLLECTIONS

Public Collection         Office of Senator Kelly Loeffler. Atlanta, Ga & Washington, D.C.

Private Collection.      North Augusta, SC (Danish Family)

Public Collection.        City of Augusta. Augusta, GA.

Public Collection.        City of Palm Desert. Palm Desert, CA

Private Collection.      Multiple Cities (Eino Family)

Private Collection.      Augusta, GA (Whiting/Williams Family)

Private Collection.      North Augusta, SC (Blair Family)

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2012                               Judge                                 Chiaha Harvest Fair & Arts Festival. Rome, GA

 

2009-2012                   Volunteer                           Artsfest. Georgia Southern University. Statesboro, GA

 

2007                              Gallery Crew                     Augusta State University. Augusta, GA

 

2005                              Installation Crew             Patrick Dougherty Installation. Augusta State University. Augusta, GA

 

 

 

TECHNICAL ABILITIES

Welding – GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW

Metal Fabrication – Manual/Hydraulic breaking, shearing, and forming; Oxy and plasma cutting

Steel Forging

Concrete Construction

Casting – Aluminum, Wax, Plaster, Concrete, Plastic

Wood fabrication, construction, and carving

SketchUp

Rhino

Installation

Painting – Acrylic, aerosol, oil, and spray

Carving

Color Theory

Photoshop

Illustrator

Mixed Media

Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel

CNC

Kiln Firing – Raku, Electric, and High Fire Gas

Hand-building techniques in Clay

Drawing

Minor repair of tools and machinery

Being Awesome

Being Funny

 

 

 

TOOLS

Manual/Hydraulic Brakes: 10’ at 16G and 18G;  Box & pan at 16G

Drill Press

CNC Plasma Cutting, Routing & Engraving

Spot Welder

Saws: Band at 10”, 14”, 20” upright & 12” horizontal; Variable Speed Scroll; Chop, Miter, Chain with bar lengths at 14”, 20”, 24”, & 36”

Sanders: Belt, Disc, Palm, Combination, Oscillating, Orbital, Hand

55-Ton Multiuse Ironworker

Slip roller: 24" at 18G & 20G

Bead roller: 7" at 22G

Shear: 52" manual at 18G; 12' hydraulic at 10G

Various hand tools for forming and cutting

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

2011                Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society

2003               Delta Chi Fraternity

 

 

 

CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIA

 

2011                Lines in Space            Graduate Research Symposium. Statesboro, GA

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

2019-2020                SMAW, GMAW, Advance SMAW

2017                           BLS from the American Red Cross