About Brett Stuart

Harford County

Visual Artist, Musician, and Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiast.
Brett's intention is to create constructional portraits that are as unconventional as the maverick musicians he fashions. These musicians have been inspirational in all genres of Music in the past and present and he wishes to document music history by immortalizing their faces.
The portraits are larger than life which is synonymous with the musicians’ huge contributions of laying down new sound. He builds his own… more

Sky High in Constructional Paint

Beginnings in Constructional Art. Experimenting in very large pieces of abstract & figurative work.
  • Super Star
    Super Star
    120" H x 86" W x 20" D
  • Inspirational Backing
    Inspirational Backing
    90" H x 96" W x 25" D
  • Gut Wrenching
    Gut Wrenching
    84: H x 84" W x 25" D
  • Anderson Gallery
    Anderson Gallery
  • fl000011.jpg
    fl000011.jpg

Black, White and the Blues

Tidbits of the past. Decades of playing the blues while making Engravings/Aquatint and Mezzotint Etchings prints on my studio press.
Although many of the prints have been sold without documentation, this is a small representation of several series of prints and a small clip of my contribution to the Baltimore Blues scene over the last 30 years.
The Mezzotint Series, the ground is applied by hand with a serrated tool on a Copper Plate, different levels of ink provide a full range of grays and blacks.
The Criminal Series was portrait etchings on zinc plates to get continuous tones of grays and black, pressed onto Reeves BFK paper.
The Dream Series is also Etching/Aquatint designed to be interpreted based on the psychology of dreams.
Music of the Jumpin Hailstones, Featured Vocals & Blues Harmonica of Brett Stuart Wilson
  • Night at Madame Tussauds
    Night at Madame Tussauds
    B&W with Color Etching/Aquatint, created on Zinc Plate. date 1971 36" X 20"
  • cdcover
    cdcover
  • I Wish You Would, Harmonica & Vocals by Brett Stuart Wilson
    From the years of playing the blues, demonstration of my harmonica licks. Song from Jumping' Hailstones, 2000. Brett Wilson on Harmonica & Vocals, Matt Coffman on Guitar, Brian Badger on Bass, Dale Mauck on Drums, Mixed & Engineered by Dave Nachodsky
  • "Off The Wall" Harmonica & Vocals by Brett Stuart Wilson
    From the years of playing the blues, demonstration of my harmonica licks. Song from Jumping' Hailstones, 2000. Brett Wilson on Harmonica & Vocals, Matt Coffman on Guitar, Brian Badger on Bass, Dale Mauck on Drums, Mixed & Engineered by Dave Nachodsky
  • "Rockin" Harmonica & Vocals by Brett Stuart Wilson
    From the years of playing the blues, demonstration of my harmonica licks. Song from Jumping' Hailstones, 2000. Brett Wilson on Harmonica & Vocals, Matt Coffman on Guitar, Brian Badger on Bass, Dale Mauck on Drums, Mixed & Engineered by Dave Nachodsky
  • The Shirelles
    The Shirelles
    1984 Over the Bar @ Sascha's 527 3' x 8'
  • Anderson Gallery, Richmond VA
    Anderson Gallery, Richmond VA
    Anderson Gallery "Thrilla in Manilla" 7' X 7' X 9" "Thinking" 7' X 7' X 8"
  • 1938 Indian Chief
    1938 Indian Chief
    '38 Indian Chief engine is an example of the vast range of grey tones, velvety blacks and incisive lines of the Mezzotint prints. date 1999
  • Leopold and Loeb
    Leopold and Loeb
    From the Criminal Series. The Trial of the infameous Leopold & Loeb. Print is 36" x 20" etched on 4 different zinc plates. Etching/Aquatint
  • Puffed Up
    Puffed Up
    Self Portrait Date 1972 Etching/Aquatint on Zinc Plates. 20" X 27"

Larger than Life Icons

Mixed Media Constructional Portraits demonstrating my earlier work that leans more towards a caricature image. These portraits are more raw or loose with bumpier surface but less surface tension between depth & flatness.
  • Howling Wolf
    Howling Wolf
    Blues, Harmonica 30" H x 25" W x 9" D
  • Chuck Berry
    Chuck Berry
    27" H x 24 1/2" W x 11" D
  • Carl Perkins
    Carl Perkins
  • Fats Domino
    Fats Domino
  • Little Richard
    Little Richard
  • Walter Jacobs
    Walter Jacobs
    37" H x 29 1/2" W x 5" D
  • Elvis
    Elvis
    Elvis, Part of the Sylvio Perlstein Collection
  • Johnny Barnett
    Johnny Barnett
    34" H x 24 1/2" W x 13" D
  • Jerry Lee Lewis
    Jerry Lee Lewis
  • Eddie Cockran
    Eddie Cockran

Jumpin' Off the Walls!

Mixed Media Constructional Portraits demonstrating my earlier work that leans more towards a caricature image. These portraits are more raw or loose with bumpier surface but less surface tension between depth & flatness.
  • Prof.Longhair.jpg
    Prof.Longhair.jpg
  • RoyOrbison.jpg
    RoyOrbison.jpg
  • OldMuddyWaters.jpg
    OldMuddyWaters.jpg
  • FH000010.jpg
    FH000010.jpg
  • BuddyHolly.jpg
    BuddyHolly.jpg
  • FH000006.jpg
    FH000006.jpg
  • PatsyKline.jpg
    PatsyKline.jpg
  • HankWilliams.jpg
    HankWilliams.jpg
  • Big Joe Turner
    Big Joe Turner
    29" H x 27 1/2" W x 5" D

Unconventional Portraits of Maverick Musicians

These Unconventional Portraits are interpreted from a handful of press photographs from various angles.
Mixed Media materials used are; wood, wire, muslin, acrylic paint, paper, hemp & miscellaneous found materials.
The process starts with a wooden frame and then builds upon by layering, shifting and manipulating muslin, found objects, various materials, and acrylic paint until it finally becomes something that I am comfortable with. It is this process of movement, construction and the joining of surfaces that builds the image. Not carved, not poured, molded or pressed but layered while painting.

My objective is to address portrait painting through improvisation in the process and simultaneously capture a likeness of these iconic artists. I'm not so concerned with the profile which I think can add abstract interest. Sometimes there is bas-relief happening but that is not my first intention, I simply want the richness of depth in the face. The adjoining flat and built-out surface tensions are devoid of the formal aspects of a portrait or sculpture, allowing for some improvising which often results in nonconformity. This deviation from the rules of perfection allows for what I feel brings spontaneity to the overall composition.


 

  • Studio View Brett Stuart Wilson
    Studio View Brett Stuart Wilson
    Forefront: Little Walter Jacobs Center: Artist Brett Stuart Wilson Back: Bo Diddley
  • Bo Diddley
    Bo Diddley
    Instrument: Hand Made Guitars Rock-n-Roll Innovator Known for Shave and a Haircut, two bits beat Blues, R&B, Rock-n-Roll
  • Bo Diddley
    Bo Diddley
    Instrument: Hand Made Guitars Rock-n-Roll Innovator Known for Shave and a Haircut, two bits beat Blues, R&B, Rock-n-Roll
  • Little Walter Jacobs
    Little Walter Jacobs
    Little Walter Jacobs Blues Innovator & Wizard of "Amplified" Harmonica 25"W x 36"H x 9 1/2" Deep
  • Little Walter Jacobs
    Little Walter Jacobs
    In low light conditions. 25"W x 36"H x 9 1/2" Deep
  • Keith Richards
    Keith Richards

    20th & 21st Century Rock-n-Roll Guitar Maverick Rolling Stones 32" wide X 41" high X 9" deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.

  • Melancholic Elvis
    Melancholic Elvis
    Helped Introduce Black Music & Dance (Wynonie Harris) to a White Audience The King, Rock-n-Roll, R&B, Gospel Built out painting construction, mixed media. 28"W x 38"H x 9"Deep
  • Ozzy Osborne
    Ozzy Osborne
    GodFather of Heavy Metal Built out construction, painting, mixed media. 36" Wide x 42" HIGH x 9" deep
  • Johnny Cash
    Johnny Cash
    Country Music Icon, Singer/Songwriter w/ Guitar, Rockabilly, Blues, Folk & Gospel 27 1/2" wide X 35" high X 10 1/2" deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.

Mavericks of Music

Dimensional Paintings.
Mixed Media; wood, wire, muslin, miscellaneous found materials and acrylic paint.

It is my intention that the colors and irregularities capture the power and intensity of the music itself.
I would like to demonstrate that portrait painting is not always a prudent image but can also be seen as a history of ideas that stem from expressionist painters, California Funk art, and assemblage artists of the 50s.

It is equally important for me to document some of the biggest musical influences into an unconventional portrait. It is my hope that even if the audience doesn't know who they are looking at, the image will be interesting enough in presence that they will inquire about the musician and their music.

These pieces are meant to be viewed in all lighting conditions. It is an added benefit, that under low light conditions of the evening these paintings come to life in their full potential, revealing the electrifying drama of stage lights and dimly lit nightclub funk.

Featured in California's ArtNois magazine
http://issuu.com/artnois/docs/artnois8/17?e=5387340/5821334

  • Thelonious Monk
    Thelonious Monk
    26" W x 38" H x 10" Deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.
  • Hell-Hounds
    Hell-Hounds
    Robert Jonson, Blues Guitar, 31"W x 41"H x 12" Deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.
  • Johnny Rotten
    Johnny Rotten
    32" W x 35" H x 9" Deep Dimensional painting, constructional portrait, mixed media.
  • Jerry Lee Lewis with SE shadow
    Jerry Lee Lewis with SE shadow
    2 1/2 dimensional mixed media 31"W x 36"H x 10" Deep
  • Patti Smith
    Patti Smith
    31"W x 33" H x 9" Deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.
  • Nina Simone
    Nina Simone
    Nina Simone
  • Ray Charles
    Ray Charles
    Ray Charles, R&B, Gospel (Piano & Song Writer) Blind 26" W x 36" H x 12" Deep Dimensional painting, mixed media.

Rock-n-Roll-and-ART never dies....

One of the oldest forms of art is the portrait.

One of the oldest ways to alleviate pain is music.

Both bring Joy.

Filling the walls with color and history.  A reminder that Rock-n-Roll and Art never dies... it's just reinvented!
  • Jimi Hendrix
    Jimi Hendrix
    Jimi Hendrix, Rock, Electric guitarist, singer, and songwriter 65" H x 45" W x 14" D
  • Ray, Jimmi & Keith @ Sascha's
    Ray, Jimmi & Keith @ Sascha's
    Installation view
  • Jimi Hendrix
    Jimi Hendrix
    Jimi Hendrix & artist Brett Stuart Wilson
  • Elmore James
    Elmore James
    Chicago Blues Set the standard for slide giutar
  • WTMD view
    WTMD view
    Muddy Waters Elmore James Ray Charles w/ artist Brett Stuart Wilson
  • Muddy Waters
    Muddy Waters
    Muddy Waters, Father of modern Chicago blues Guitar, Singer, Harmonica 38" H x 23" W x 9" D
  • Gallery View
    Gallery View
  • Charlie Parker, angle view
    Charlie Parker, angle view
    Bebop Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Known for his blazingly fast virtuoso
  • Charlie Parker, frontal
    Charlie Parker, frontal
    Bebop Jazz Saxaphonist & Composer Known for his virtuosic technique and advanced harmonies Mixed-Media 31"W x 42"H x 12" Deep