ChiChi Stewart invites art lovers to examine the layered significance of everyday appearances in her paintings. She grew up in the countryside of South Jersey, near a town that in the late 1960s was named “Typical Small Town, USA.” From the age of ten, she wandered barefoot into hidden places, a young explorer writing stories, crafting objects, and conversing with animals and trees. In her teens, ChiChi was encouraged to pursue a career that would help others and provide a steady income. She chose nursing, graduating in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree. Her career took her through hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and even into the administrative staff of a newly built hospital in Saudi Arabia. Blending her natural creativity and optimistic, free‑spirited nature with the structure of academia and medicine sparked a lifelong drive to innovate. CHiChi developed stress‑management programs for air traffic controllers, promoted team‑based approaches to diabetes care, introduced new methods for managing pain, and spoke publicly about the then‑emerging field of psycho‑neuro‑immunology. Her creativity also flourished in her personal life—nurturing relationships, raising children, designing gardens, and filling her home with beauty. At mid‑life, with her children grown, the Muse returned: You are an artist, it whispered. Suddenly, everything fell into place. Within two years, her paintings were being exhibited in public venues, marking the beginning of her new chapter as an artist. "Nursing and caring for family prepared me in visceral and unexpected ways for the demands of working as an artist: the long hours of being on one’s feet, a sensitivity to form and color change, a commitment to do what I was required to do, in the ways I learned, to be open minded, and the experience of letting go when it was time to do so. Growing up in rural America in the 1950’s created a love of the outdoors and natural landscape in ways I never could have predicted. I have been called a “dedicated and thoughtful Renaissance woman” by other artists, and an “artistic leader who is willing to ask the big questions”. My paintings invite the viewer to examine more deeply the layered significance of everyday appearances, and as always, to enjoy the light." -- ChiChi Stewart Travels Abroad "I have been fortunate to travel widely over the years, each journey leaving its mark on my life and art. In 2010, I walked the Camino in Spain, a pilgrimage that deepened my sense of reflection and endurance. Earlier, in 2007, I painted en plein air in Ireland, capturing the shifting light and lush landscapes. The Yucatán in Mexico drew me back twice, in 2001 and 2002, with its vibrant culture and ancient ruins. France in 1989 offered inspiration through its art and history, while my time in Saudi Arabia, London, and Berlin in 1978 opened my eyes to diverse worlds in transition. Even earlier, in 1975, I explored Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, experiences that expanded my horizons and enriched my creative spirit." Group and Solo Exhibitions "Over the years, I have been honored to share my work in a variety of group exhibitions across the Pacific Northwest. In 2021, my paintings were included in the juried Small Works Show at Gallery North in Edmonds. Earlier, I exhibited at the Georgetown Art Community Center in Seattle (2012) and served as lead artist with Landscape Painters Northwest at the Washington State Convention Center that same year. My work appeared in Gallery North’s Annual Miniature and Small Paintings Show in both 2010 and 2011, and at Gage Academy of Art’s People, Place or Thing exhibition in 2009. That year also brought several juried opportunities, including Of Clocks and Crows at the Monte Cristo Hotel in Everett, the Kenmore Art Show, and exhibitions at Blaubak Gallery in Kirkland and Gage’s Landscape Atelier show in Seattle. Earlier still, I participated in the Burien Art Walk in 2004 and 2005, experiences that helped establish my presence in the regional art community. In addition to group shows, I have presented my work in solo exhibitions that allowed for a more personal dialogue with viewers. These include my 2012 show at Edmonds Frame Design and Atelier, an open studio exhibition and sale in 2021, and most recently, Emergence, a solo show at Madrona Wine Shop in Seattle in 2023. Each of these exhibitions has marked a milestone in my journey as an artist, offering opportunities to connect more deeply with audiences and to share the evolution of my creative voice." Barlow Gallery is proud to feature the artwork of ChiChi Stewart.