Stewart Ian Geller (SIG) was raised in New York City, and has lived in Hawai’i since late 1993. He studied art at City College of New York, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, where he graduated in 1995 with a B.A. In English and a minor in Art.
He worked as a potter for many years, and developed a neriage technique that consisted of inlaying oxide-stained clays and then throwing the forms. He has also worked in watercolors since 1969. In his paintings, he has almost exclusively focused on landscapes. He has been concentrating on Hawaiian landscapes and seascapes in both photographs and pastels, and is particularly fascinated by the interplay of light, mist, and clouds.
“I am awestruck at the beauty of God’s creation here in Hawai’i.” He has been displayed in six juried shows in Hilo, placing first in category at the Big Island Art Guild Spring Arts Festival 2000. In April 2002, The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts acquired his “Kohala Storm”.
In 2002, Stewart began to learn the art of bowl turning. His forms are generally small traditional and contemporary shapes, and he focuses on Hawaiian woods, such as sugi pine, milo, mango, koa, macnut, and banyan. This work is displayed by galleries on the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu. Stewart presently resides in Hilo.