Jeff Smith
Born: 1962
Hometown: Houston
Based in: Houston, TX
Jeff Smith is an abstract expressionist focusing on the conflict of color and texture, finding resolution through perceived movement within the canvas. Smith has pursued the resolution of dissonance throughout his varied career, which encompasses a number of different creative outlets. Smith is currently creating primarily within the digital art space, but his background includes fine art as well as graphic design, film, animation, and both generative and hand-painted NFTs.
Smith was born into an artistic family where his talent was fostered from a young age. His uncle, Robert Rector, is a well-known abstract artist with works in galleries and museums around the world. Rector was a guiding force and constructive critic of Smith’s early work.
Smith was a popular graphic designer for newspapers and advertising agencies during college. But as a twenty-something, Smith soured on the art-as-commerce path and lost interest in being an artist.
Instead, Smith set his sites of filmmaking and moved to Los Angeles. Over the next 14 years, Smith wrote, produced, edited and/or directed dozens of productions for various networks and studios, including 20th Century Fox, Disney and MGM. During his time in Hollywood, he received numerous Broadcast Design Awards. He also created special on-air content for the 71st Annual Academy Awards.
After retiring from the entertainment business, Smith began rediscovering his love of fine art through the new medium of digital art. He now creates abstract art and pop art from his studio in Houston, Texas with his wife Sebrina Zerkus Smith, a writer.
13 works for sale
Jeff Smith In The Studio
"I intend my paintings to be reminiscent of waves crashing on rocks. There is nothing as violent and chaotic as the crashing waves themselves, but the picture and sounds taken as a whole are calming. Within my art, the movement, colors and shapes all work together to bring a pleasing emotion, even though the sharp shapes and spraying colors still show the violence behind the peaceful scene."
More About Jeff Smith
What inspires you?
Resolving conflict and creating harmony from its remains. I strive everyday to be grateful for all things, positive and negative. That helps me to see the beauty and blessings that can sometimes only come from experiences and stimuli that we view as "bad" or "painful." Finding the beauty from the struggle is what inspires me everyday.
Describe your creative process.
My process is somewhat unique. For each piece, I create 6-12 individual drawings, paintings, photos and gradients and layer them onto one high-resolution digital canvas. This creates a painting filled with conflict and competition. I then begin editing and filtering the various layers to find the harmony (or intentional contrast) in the painting. My art focuses heavily on conflict and resolution. This yin and yang is always evident in every component of the paintings, from colors to themes to textures to shapes.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Emotional, colorful, eclectic
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
James Rosenquist, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Robert Rector, Roy Lichtenstein, Edward Rouchet, Paul Klee
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Color. Color drives everything in my art. It creates the conflict and ultimately helps resolve it.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
My wife Sebrina urged me to be a fine artist many years ago, but I didn't listen. I should have. Also, her advice once I returned to art that I should only create out of love for the process, and to never create just to make money.
Where do you go for inspiration?
The beach, Los Angeles, South Mississippi, the movie theater, philosophy videos, punk rock music
Collections featuring Jeff Smith
1 Collection
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