Stuart began ship modeling in 1976, when his business allowed “leisure” time. By 2011 he had crafted 40 museum quality ships and boats. One of them, HMS Victory, was featured on a National Geographic Explorer TV program...he was invited to Portsmouth, England and spent intensive time studying Victory, returning home to finish the four year project.

Many of his ships are in celebrity homes, some are in museum settings and others are still in his collection. His work is pristine, as evidenced by his association with the Nautical Research Guild, the preeminent model ship Guild in the country. Recently he received an award in competition from the Guild in a contest with 59 very advanced modelers. 

His art and craft are a passion, requiring total focus on research, accumulation of materials for each project and, finally, the crafting of one-of-a-kind ships... representing meticulous historical accuracy and precise crafting. The goal is to create a miniature, frozen in time, depicting the aura and adventure of the moment in history that Stuart has duplicated. That varies from ship to ship, the selection itself an art form. 

Stuart says: “If I bring a smile or wonderment to those who view my ships, then I have done my job as a craftsman and an artist.”

Stuart has had a lifetime interest in things nautical, beginning on the East Coast, where he spent a depression era childhood. The fundamental American traditions were instilled in him by his 6th generation American mother, who tolerated nothing but “old fashioned” behavior and achievement. He did well in school, earning scholarships through his early college years, when the Korean conflict erupted. He served in the military as an intelligence officer.

Returning after service, he completed his education through advanced degrees, met and married Barbara, who has been his lifelong partner. They have three children and seven grandchildren.