Stewart Soutar runs Studio 99b. He produces engraved glass, stained glass panels, kiln glass and lamps by commission. In addition to his producing glass art, Stewart has a considerable reputation as both a portrait painter and abstract/environmental artist. Stewart's paintings inform the development of his glass art, with drawings and paintings forming the basis of many of the stained glass pieces. These pieces in turn feed into Stewart's canvases, with his approach resulting in a rich synergy between applied art and fine art.
Stewart was born in Arbroath in 1953 - " A town so full of painters that, most days you could barely get the door open for artists lying about everywhere" - he unsurprisingly studied drawing and painting at Dundee and Aberdeen.
Over the past 40 years Stewart has built up a considerable reputation as both a portrait painter and abstract / environmental artist, selling the majority of his work in the USA. A retrospective exhibition in Glasgow contrasted the more traditional skills of the painter with abstracts contructed from the naturally occurring materials found in the landscape and deep in the underlying geology.
About Me
"I have been working in the Arts and Crafts since selling my first painting at the age of 13.
I studied Drawing and Painting at Grays and, after a brief course in Adult Education at Moray House, began teaching evening classes in and around Edinburgh.
In order that I might move my own work on, I started a studio / workshop in New Lanark and there began the glass work and engraving. In keeping with almost ALL craftworkers I was responsible for not only the design and production of my stock but also the marketing, advertising, production methodology, packaging etc. During that time I was able to formulate new production methods which I have further streamlined and made much more cost effective and sustainable.
I moved to Suffolk and continued with my portraiture work and began translating this into engraved and ‘built’ images (a direction I would like to further explore).
On moving back to Scotland I began building up a stock of paintings and machinery for the glass in a property in the Borders. This ultimately led to a very successful retrospective exhibition at Gallery 5, Glasgow University.
"The strongest show we've ever had here...Really drawn to those colours...Very strong."
Since then, whilst completing commissions for my clients, I have been seeking the correct location/environment to take the studio to the next level. I am confident I have found the ideal spot in Craft Town Scotland, West Kilbride"
