Stuart was born in Redruth, Cornwall, before moving to Amesbury near Stonehenge (which remains in his memory as iconic, much as St Michael's Mount does also). His art studies were undertaken at Farnham School of Art and Winchester School of Art, followed by postgraduate work at the Slade School, London. His fuller story is told well by Tom CROSS in his 2002 survey volume, Catching the Wave, Contemporary Art & Artists in Cornwall. Aside from painting, Stuart has also had part-time teaching positions at Falmouth College of Art, and works from his studio and home in Penwith.