Though Smith works with a fairly common media (acrylics), it’s the type of artwork that she does that is so unique. Smith has a steady business of painting parties, weddings and functions of all sorts. And she does it all live. She’s one of only three such artists in the country, but she didn’t start off painting parties. She discovered her profession when she was asked to paint at one of her own shows at a gallery in Hollywood, California. She did, and the concept grew from there. “I try to capture the essence of the event going on,” she says of her work.
All in the Family
Smith has been drawing and painting since she can remember. Her grandfather was an artist and taught her much of what she knows. He used to pull out one of his many Arizona Highways magazines, have Smith choose her favorite photograph in the issue and then have her paint it. “I started painting Native American art,” she says. “I won three Best of Shows at the (Arizona) State Fair when I was 10, 11 and 12.”
Now, she says her style is more in line with modern impressionism. And in fact, she says painting live is something that was quite popular with the French Impressionists – that is until the camera was invented and took the place of live painting. So, in a way, Smith is reviving a lost art – something she was thrilled to share with the City of Glendale.
City Scapes
The 12 paintings Smith did for the city include The Spicery, The Bead Museum, Catlin Court, Sahuaro Ranch, Downtown Glendale, Fiesta Glendale, The Jazz and Blues Festival, Glendale Glitters, Enchanted Evenings, Glitter and Glow, The Glendale Chocolate Affair and Murphy Park. She says she likes them all for different reasons. “I see myself in the people of Glendale,” she says.
For more information about the exhibit, call 623-930-4200. To view other paintings by Smith, visit www.paintingsbysamantha.com. |
