Stig Marcussen

Stig has been a professional, dedicated artist creating original works in pen and ink and watercolors for over 20 years. His prints are some of the most popular works at festivals, and when he sells his watercolor prints he hand paints each one individually. Most of his original watercolors are prized by the artist so rarely sold, making them highly sought-after and valuable pieces of art. Because Stig‘s artistic “flavor” is so engaging and representative of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, his works can be seen hanging on the walls of several Mississippi Gulf Coast Hospitals and countless homes and offices. Sadly, many of Stig’s artworks were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but Stig is a prolific artist and continues to draw upon nature as his source of inspiration. He can often be seen walking on the beach or biking through town and he continues to draw large crowds at local art festivals. In 2008,Stig won the coveted, “People’s Choice Award,” at the annual Ocean Springs Peter Anderson Festival.

Despite his popularity, Stig has a nonchalant attitude concerning his talent and ability. He did not have a big childhood dream of becoming an artist and in college his intention was to study medicine. Eventually, however, he started sketching, and as he progressed in this endeavor his interest grew until finally he went for training to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. After finishing this training Stig returned to the Gulf Coast with no money and his first series of paintings was given to Biloxi Regional Medical Center to pay off some medical bills.

Since then Stig has sold over 15,000 paintings all across the country. His unique style encompasses scenes that no longer exist and a lifestyle that is going away. Stig himself has said in interviews that his art represents the brutal realism in costal scenery, and he often renders the Gulf Coast scenery in a somewhat grainy or sketchy manner to emphasize the uncertainty within nature.

Stig has made many contributions to the local community and has donated countless pieces of art to local charities. He has exhibited at the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, and his greatest inspiration is Horn Island, where he goes to paint and relax.

Stig‘s creations start off with an original Pen and Ink drawing from which a Limited Edition Print is made. For the colored versions of his prints Stig hand paints the Limited Edition Print with Watercolor.