By Olivia Sugg, Online Editor-in-Chief
Its’s 2014, you are 10 years old and at a surf competition near your house in Florida. Instead of watching the waves, you look over and see a random artist you have never heard of painting on a surfboard. This small moment might seem pretty insignificant to most, but for senior Micah Stewart, it was just the opposite.
Stewart has been creating art for as long as he can remember. However, he became really interested after seeing professional artist Drew Brophy painting on that surfboard. Stewart felt an immediate connection to this legendary figure in the arts and surf scene whose works have been on display from his native South Carolina to his current home state of California.
“He paints a lot on surfboards and his art style with waves and sunsets that are kind of cartoony really inspired me,” Stewart said.
Like Brophy, Stewart mainly uses Posca paint-marker pens, and in March of 2021 the brand even reposted a photo from his art instagram: @micah_stew.art. The photo was an image of a fish that he painted on the half-pipe in his backyard, entirely in Posca pens.
His half-pipe is not the only unordinary canvas Stewart has drawn on. In fact, most of his canvases would be considered atypical.
“I have painted outdoor shower doors, skate ramps, skate boards, phone cases, my calculator and even a little free library for an Airbnb in Kitty Hawk,” Stewart said.
Jennifer Stewart is Micah’s mom and also happens to teach art at First Flight Middle School. Jennifer loves the fact that her son is so disciplined with his art, and she is always impressed with his creativity.
“He creates all types of art and paints on everything,” Jennifer said. “But I really love a few small murals he has completed around our house. They mean so much to me and my husband.”
The art genes in the family are not limited to Micah and his mom, but extend over several generations.
“Micah’s grandparents have a pottery studio and are in shows, displaying their work with the Albemarle Arts Council, Perquimans Arts League Gallery and Chowan Arts Council,” Jennifer said. “His uncle also does pottery in his free time and I am an art teacher, so I guess you could say it runs in the family.”
Micah hopes to pursue a career in the Coast Guard after graduation while still keeping art in his life and following in his family’s footsteps.
“My mom and I have been talking about trying to sell some small canvases in local craft shows like the one at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival or other community events,” Micah said.
While his career ambitions are leading toward the water, Micah’s love of painting and passion for art will continue to accompany him wherever he goes.
“I really enjoy seeing what Micah comes up with next,” Jennifer said. “And I’m sure art will always be a part of his life no matter what he chooses to do in the future.”
Junior Olivia Sugg can be reached at 23suggol52@daretolearn.org.
