Don Stewart earned his BS degree in Biology and Art at Birmingham-Southern College in 1981. Here he was first exposed to composite imagery, and began exploring techniques in ballpoint drawing. He continued to pursue artistic interests as a hobby during medical training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

After receiving his MD in 1985, Dr. Stewart moved to Minnesota to complete an internship in surgery at the Mayo Clinic. The lifestyle of a surgical resident proved, however, to be at odds with his creative side. By year's end, Stewart opted to discontinue his medical studies - but not before accepting awards for his short fiction and poetry, and publishing his first two composite drawings.