Fonds 0690 - Colleen Stewart fonds

Colleen Stewart, born in April 1942, was the first of five children born to Henry and Jean Wagner of Goodfare Alberta.

In 1965, Colleen, along with her husband Joseph (Joe) and son Terry, moved to Prince George British Columbia. After encouragement from her mother, who had recently began painting herself, Colleen began painting in 1978. She was a self-taught artist who took inspiration from the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, and Euphemia McNaught. Colleen began exhibiting her art work in 1981 in both group and individual shows. One particular show, called “East of the Rockies – West of the Rockies” featured artwork from herself and her mother Jean Wagner, who was an artist from Beaverlodge.

In 1996, Colleen began making art in the form of quilts. The themes of these art pieces centered on the human condition, rather than the Northern BC landscape which were the predominant themes of her oil paintings. According to Colleen, one of her favourite materials to use in quilts were men’s neckties.

Colleen and her husband Joe moved to Fort St. James following Joe’s retirement in 1996 where Colleen continued working on her art.

Stewart’s art was made part of the permanent collections of the Two Rivers Gallery in Prince George, The Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie, and the BC Provincial Government. Her artwork was added to many private collections including private collections in places as far away as New Zealand, Australia, and Germany.