Milessa Murphy Stewart is a local modern impressionist artist. She has completed more than 500 pieces and has traveled around the country featuring her creative masterpieces.
The Dream-Makers collection was created as recently as last year. Milessa used cabinet cards from the late 1800s and early 1900s. She has combined images of children and her take on their future career endeavors. Here she describes her art and what it means to her.
Hot Air Balloon
Most of the time, it’s the little boys getting themselves into trouble. But these two, sisters from different mothers, have their hands full. They aren’t sure what to do. Looking around for some help or are they looking to see if anyone is watching? Being an only child, I found myself in predicaments similar to this, having to figure out how to get myself out of trouble or pay the consequence. Personally, I think they should run and jump into the balloon for the ride of a lifetime!
Details:
Size: 24-by-24, heavy-duty gallery-wrapped canvas
Medium: Oil
The Dentist
During my recent visit to Florida, I saw the two beautifully carved totems that had been created in Austria. To go along with the current body of work, Dream-Makers, they seemed the perfect fit for the vintage little girl that I have been waiting to paint. I think she is going to be a fine dentist or oral surgeon. I’ll bet you didn’t know my husband is an oral surgeon!
Details:
Size: 24-by-24 canvas
Medium: Oil
The Anchorman (boat painting)
The singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett spent years working as the first mate on a yacht perfecting his “Caribbean rock 'n’ roll” genre. We all are endowed with the power of imagination, and our success is determined by how we use it. I raise my young grandson, and his imagination—just like this little boy—is one of the secrets behind the success stories we often hear.
Details:
Size: 24-by-24 canvas
Medium: Oil
Girl with Teacup
Alice is an adventurous little girl and a guest of the “mad” tea party to which she is late—late for a very important date! The cute little girl in her sunflower dress sits in a bed of colorful flowers when one of the butterflies asks her, “So where are we going, my dear? Because, obviously, I’m not seeing things so clear. Let’s head west where those clouds are so distant, yeah. Later we’ll look back and think we could have missed it, and look each other in the eyes and say, I’m glad we did this.” But knowing she can’t fly, the butterfly sweetly tells her, “Don’t worry…just know, my little girl, you will grow.”
Details:
This painting was inspired by Ryan Berg’s song, “Sunflower.”
Size: 60-by-48 canvas
Medium: Oil
Red Balloon
What’s with the Cardinal; does it stand for something? The practice of astrology recognizes four cardinal signs of the zodiac: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn—sometimes called reacting signs. It associates those people born “under” one of these with certain human behaviors and traits like being active, self-motivated, insightful and ambitious.
Cardinal signs are the initiators of the zodiac, ready to forge ahead with plans and attract those that can support their efforts. Cardinal signs are leaders and tend to be outgoing because they’re engaged with the world in a dynamic way. They’re restless to start new projects and happiest when running the show.
Details:
Size: 24-by-24 canvas
Medium: Oil
Magic Show
I have a vintage photo that looks somewhat like my redheaded grandson, though you can’t tell what color his hair is since it is black and white. My little redhead loves pulling money out of my ears! He believes he has magic.
The little girl, seen here, is magical too! If you notice there are two hats—one for her and one for him. The one on the floor had a cat in the hat. They weren’t thrilled about the use of the hoop to disappear because the love the attention and being in the spotlight. But, the curtain is about to close…because it is way past bedtime!
Details:
Size: 24-by-24 canvas
Medium: Oil
Gator
The Astro Investigators, better known as the Gators, is a group of dedicated astrologers committed to astrological scientific research to prove or disapprove astrological concepts and techniques. Were you thinking she would be an animal tamer?
"The photo I used for the inspiration was taken in 1908 of Dallas Mercier Conklin standing on a stuffed alligator."
Details:
Size: 24-by-24 canvas
Medium: Oil