Art by Artists around the world

Lee Smith

Picture a kaleidoscope, thats what my work is. . . color and textures, constantly changing imagery. My discipline is varied styles and subjects. I express freely according to circadian rhythms. I follow the ebb and flow of my energy to give my work natural direction. My work is oddly in opposition to the energies that created it. For example, my realistic work appears calm and orderly as if created in a relaxed state. In reality, realism results when my energy and focus are brilliantly intense, when I am most energetic. On the other hand, my knife paintings with kinetic strokes and broken color, appear to have been created in a frenzy. Strangely, the opposite is true, these are actually begun when Im in a state of low energy; the brain is in slo mo or on autopilot. This is my recuperative phase which restores my focus. These diametrically opposed styles reflect the cadence of my energies and provide balance. My floral still life work offers a story, a mystery, time standing still that we all sometimes wish for, to stop the clock, to savor one moment fully. My still life of the mundane and ordinary, for example, my fruit still life are larger than life, literally over scale, juicier than life, better than real life. My portraits are emotional; a certain look, a certain smile, fleeting thoughts always captured in the eyes. My landscapes are escapes, places I dream of but will never see or of ordinary places I have seen.

Location: North Carolina, United States
Media: Acrylic / Oil
Style: Impressionism / Expressionism / Realism
Art Group Affiliations: iSmudge - (4is)

Lee Smith was born in 1952 in Jacksonville, Florida and has been a North Carolina resident since 1957. SMITH SAYS, I didnt just wake up one morning and say, Im going to be an artist. Art became a second career by happenstance. From 1970 to 1995 I was employed in an unrelated field. The stress of corporate downsizing led me to retire to improve my health. I de-stressed by decorating, faux finishing and rejuvenating old furniture. Visitors would see and want, so my first commissions were born. In January 1998, my grandmother and artist, Esther Leach Thornburg, passed away at age 94, leaving me her entire library of art books, paints and brushes. I studied her books by the working artists of the 1970s; Covino, Sanden, Parkhurst, Silverman, Reid and many others. Six months later, I was painting on canvas for the first time in 30 years, since high school art class. In June of 2000 I joined my local art league. Antique shops became a great venue for my functional art, painted furniture and folksy found object paintings. I also created aged and painted finishes for antique shops, for their items such as, mirrors, frames, lamp bases, sofa frames, chests etc. After joining artists groups online and finding encouragement, I was inspired to explore new subject matter. In 2002, I turned a corner, finding my natural stroke. Each year, I set new study and professional goals. For 2004, my goals are to study portraiture and oils and to pursue licensing, memberships, exhibitions and new venues. Lee Smith is a full time artist with a studio-gallery in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is self-taught since July 1998 and is currently working in acrylic and oil mediums in Realism, Impressionism and Folk art styles but is fully expressive, creating in other styles as well. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Greensboro Artists League, QAE Artists, iSmudge, EBSQ Juried and PFAA juried. Smiths work, Life in the Burbs, received a Jurors Mention, EBSQ Suburbia Exhibit, January 2004, Juried-Group, Mr. Adrian Zoot, Juror. EXHIBITIONS: Smith exhibits regularly since 2001 at the Greensboro Artist League Gallery, juried and non-juried group shows. She has held solo exhibits and live painting demonstrations at the Special Events Center, Greensboro Coliseum. Most recently, her work exhibited at the Ralph Clay Price Gallery, Green Hill Center for NC Art, 10th Annual Artists Hang-Up, Group, June 13 - July 1, 2004, and at The Pavilion, ( Coliseum ) Greensboro NC, July 2004. GALLERY REPRESENTATION: Smiths folk art is represented by Cuz I Gotta Have It Gallery in Pawleys Island, SC. Her corporate and designer works are represented by the Nelson-Lee Gallery in Archdale, NC. OTHER VENUES: Greensboro Artists League Gallery, GAL Gift Shop, Greensboro NC, Archdale Antique Mall, Archdale NC, The Red Collection, Greensboro NC, Interior Transformations, Greensboro NC, Folk Fest 2004 in Atlanta, GA and Urban Market 2004 in Atlanta, GA. COLLECTIONS: Close to 400 of Smiths works are in private and other collections throughout the United States and including, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom. NOTABLE PATRONS: Dr. Shirley Owen, Seagrove, NC; Mr. John Forlaw, Morehead City, North Carolina; Mr. Gregory Johnsen, Johnsen Law and VP/CFO of Susan Rios Incorporated, California; Mr. Alan Brayton, Brayton Law, California. Smith has completed numerous private commissions, including requests from other artists; Deborah H. Harvey, Oregon, Susan Fox, South Carolina and Vera Villaneuva, Hawaii.

Listing 11 - 15 of 17 results.
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**'SWF 38 ( Self Portrait )'** by **Lee Smith**
Primary Photo:	Detail 1:	Detail 2:

Dimensions: 20"H x 16"W
Year: 2004
Quantity: 1
Price: Not listed
Comments: Oil Oils on stretched linen. Available at auction www.artbyus.com

**'Ancient'** by **Lee Smith**
Primary Photo:	Detail 1:	Detail 2:

Dimensions: 36"H x 36"W
Year: 2003
Quantity: 1
Price: Not listed
Comments: Acrylics on Gallery Wrap stretched canvas. I will be relisting this painting soon on www.artbyus.com, an ART ONLY auction.

**'Big and Small'** by **Lee Smith**
Primary Photo:	Detail 1:	Detail 2:

Dimensions: 18"H x 24"W
Year: 2003
Quantity: 1
Price: Not listed
Comments: Acrylics on Gallery wrap stretched canvas. Currently at auction on www.ArtbyUs.com

**'Prima Gravidity'** by **Lee Smith**
Primary Photo:	Detail 1:	Detail 2:

Dimensions: 18"H x 24"W
Year: 2001
Quantity: 1
Price: Not listed
Comments: Acrylics on stretched canvas, frame included, overall dimensions: 23 X 29, canvas size is 18 X 24. This work is currently at auction at www.ArtbyUs.com

**'Sugar N Spice'** by **Lee Smith**
Primary Photo:	Detail 1:	Detail 2:

Dimensions: 24"H x 24"W
Year: 2003
Quantity: 1
Price: Not listed
Comments: Acrylics on gallery wrap stretched canvas, no frame required. Portrait of Marilyn Monroe. This work is currently on auction at www.ArtbyUs.com

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I paint as I feel, the spirit of all peoples and of all things. My imagery speaks of sensitivity, beauty, joy and dignity.