Title: New Artistic Creations: It’s All a Matter of Focus
Author: Janetta Stew “Art”
Publisher: Book Haven Literary
ISBN: 979-8-9924880-7-4
Pages: 80
Genre: Art & Photography / Christian / Biography
Reviewer: Gabriella Harrison
Pacific Book Review
New Artistic Creations: It’s All a Matter of Focus by author Janetta Stew “Art” is as much a celebration of faith and family as it is a vivid showcase of the late Garry B. Stewart’s extraordinary artistic legacy. The depth of the artworks, and indeed the author’s admiration for them are evident in the careful selection of matching portions of scripture for each artwork, along with short reflections and personal moments which provides more insight about each piece. The artworks are striking and abstract and range from 2D spheres to layered 3D designs. The deep sense of purpose which fueled his creations is obvious in the collection.
Right from the introduction, the tone is heartfelt, recounting how Garry’s artistic journey began at age eleven when he created a drawing of The Sacred Heart on fabric. A teacher’s encouragement, a mother’s embroidery, and a contest controversy resolved in his favor all became the foundation of a lifelong passion. Each subsequent section presents a series of works tied to a distinct creative phase, such as the “First Fruit Offering,” where pieces like Statue of Beauty and Eye on the Tiger intertwine biblical verses with themes of respect, courage, and love.
The “Essence of Spheres” collection reveals Garry’s playful yet meticulous approach, as with Ice Cube, which invites viewers to stare until the image shifts. It is a small but interesting act of visual wonder. In “The Art of Life,” color symbolism is highly emphasized. Blue is “a reminder to push doubt aside and keep hope alive,” while orange urges the pursuit of “God given abilities.” Nature’s beauty (fish, butterflies, flowers) is captured in this section, underscoring Garry’s reverence for creation.
The author does a wonderful job showing the diversity of Garry’s creations, ranging from works focusing on spiritual and philosophical inspirations in “The Art of Reflections” and “The Art of Peace,” to others that call for unity and justice through cosmic imagery such as “Comet of Color” and “Abstract Olympic Rings ‘Peace’.” The “Finale” is bittersweet; Janetta recounts preparing for a joint exhibition when Garry’s sudden passing in 1999 transformed the event into a celebration of his life. In her words, “The celebration of Garry’s life was not the end, but the beginning of New Life.” This statement captures the resilience and devotion that define the book and basically sums up its purpose
What I like most about the book, apart from the clean structure, is how colorful and lovely the artworks are. They’re inviting to stare at and analyze, creating a bit of wonder about what Garry could’ve been thinking or feeling while creating them.
Rich with scriptural context, personal history, and visual storytelling, New Artistic Creations: It’s All a Matter of Focus,by Janetta Stew “Art” is more than an art book. It is a testament to creative perseverance, spiritual grounding, and a sister’s promise to keep her brother’s work alive. Readers are left not only with vivid images but with the reminder, echoed in Janetta’s closing proclamation, that “It’s all a Matter of Focus.” A must-have for art lovers, this collection is as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning.
