Regional Press report: 

"In December of 2009 I started painting again in earnest with the ambition of painting more regularly outside of my normal everyday work in the advertising and marketing industry. I set out to produce fifteen new paintings within just a few months. All the work was figurative and the project was a pre-requisite in determining the future direction of my work. It also became an exercise in developing and refreshing my skills as a painter after a long break. I am now getting my teeth into new projects and will be exhibiting more widely next year in London as well as in local galleries."
 

This year I will also be submiting paintings to the Threadneedle Prize and The Royal Portrait Society exhibitions in London, as well as getting involved in local events and exhibitions." In terms of the contemporary art scene Stuart's work could be viewed as anachronistic, however he makes no apologies for this: "Whilst the conceptual art establishment produces fantastic idea based work, traditional skills are generally absent. I love the craft of creating a painting, particularly portraits. I find people endlessly fascinating both in a physiological and phychological sense.  However, it is the cathartic process of painting and the aesthetic qualities of the paint that interest me most. I think there is still a place for inventive painting and portraiture in contemporary art and I strongly believe that there is a growing undercurrent of public opinion helping to drive a renaissance of traditional painting practise. Especially when you consider the popularity of events like the Threadneedle and the BP Portrait Prize which attract exceptionally talented portrait artists nationally and internationally. Local events, such as the the long running 'Great Sheffield Art Show' and the 'Artists Open Studios' certainly prove that there is also an appetite for figurative art here in Sheffield. These shows give local artists a fantastic forum to exhibit what is largely traditional art for the man in the street to enjoy."