Steve Wariner Art: Inside His Paintings and ‘The Flip Side’ Exhibit

The country music star has spent decades painting in watercolor, oil, acrylic, and mixed media, creating works inspired by the people and places he has encountered throughout his life.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: June 1, 2026

Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Steve Wariner is best known as a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist, but music is not the only art form that has shaped his life. Wariner has also spent decades painting, working in watercolor, oil, acrylic, and mixed media.

In summer 2026, that side of his creativity took center stage with The Flip Side: Paintings by Steve Wariner, a solo exhibit at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The exhibit ran from June 21 through July 26 and featured 60 works spanning more than 30 years of Wariner’s visual art.

“We are thrilled to introduce Steve Wariner’s paintings to our community at Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center,” said Cheryl Strichik, the MACC’s executive director. “I am proud to say that this will be the most prominent display of Steve’s artworks since his 2013 exhibition at the Tennessee State Museum.”

Steve Wariner’s Paintings and Art Style

Wariner has been painting since childhood. Growing up in suburban Indiana, he was inspired by his brother David, a professional artist known for his book and album-cover illustrations. Even at a young age, Wariner was drawn to watercolor, a medium that remains central to his work.

“For me, painting has always been a kind of therapy,” Wariner said. “It’s my sanctuary and escape. I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I’ve been making music. They both go back to the beginning.”

Wariner’s watercolor style is loose and spontaneous, creating images he often describes as “washy.” His paintings frequently reflect the people and places he has encountered throughout his years on the road as a musician. Rural landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and guitars are recurring subjects in his work.

Family and musicians also appear throughout Wariner’s paintings. One watercolor, Happy New Year, Dad, depicts his father’s band performing onstage at the Noblesville American Legion as they rang in 1963.

That connection between music and painting also extends to Wariner’s creative process. His willingness to take risks has become part of his approach to both art forms, with Wariner noting that perfectionism can stand in the way of creativity.

“I learned a long time ago that you have to write 50 songs to get 10 good ones, and the same is true of painting.”

Wariner paints daily, taking time away from the easel only when he is preparing for a concert. He often spends a couple of days working on a watercolor, while other mediums require more time.

Although Wariner resisted painting in oil for years, he began experimenting with the medium in 2020. His oil paintings, including Purple Presence, are richly layered and textured, with some pieces taking months to complete. Wariner now works across multiple mediums, including oil and encaustic, and creates both representational and abstract pieces. Monthaven described Wariner’s approach simply as “Versatility is my style.”

The Flip Side: Paintings by Steve Wariner

The Flip Side: Paintings by Steve Wariner brought together 60 works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media and marked Wariner’s most prominent art exhibition since Wariner’s Watercolors at the Tennessee State Museum in 2013.

An opening reception was held June 21, with Wariner in attendance to greet visitors and discuss his paintings.

Wariner also performed a special Heritage Music Series concert at Monthaven on June 25.

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center is an art museum and education facility housed in one of Tennessee’s antebellum mansions. The nonprofit organization has hosted exhibitions featuring works ranging from the ceramic art of Pablo Picasso to the evening gowns of Princess Diana.

The center also showcases the artwork of local artists and military veterans, offers art classes to children and adults, and provides arts outreach and healing arts programs.

Steve Wariner’s Art Featured at the Grand Ole Opry

Wariner’s visual art received another spotlight in July when his music and paintings came together at the Grand Ole Opry.

During his July 10, 2026, Opry performance, 10 pieces of Wariner’s artwork from The Flip Side were displayed on the iconic Opry barn during the final song of his set. Wariner performed “6120,” his instrumental tribute to Chet Atkins, alongside guest musician Jimmy Mattingly.

The moment made Wariner the first artist to have his artwork featured on the Opry barn.