I'm Greg Smith — your passionate animal loving artist who strives to 'breathe life' into every portrait or painting.
Art has been a part of my life ever since I was able to hold my first pencil. My first commission came to me while still in high school and was of a "surfie" holding his long board while standing beside his stationwagon. If some of the terminology eludes you it's most likely because this was back in Australia — and several decades ago!
I graduated high school with visions of making a career in commercial art (aka graphic design). After having many doors of opportunity shut in my face, my career path diverted for a few years through a boat-building yard and a commercial bank. It was during my time in the bank that I entered Sydney's Waratah Festival Poster Competition, coming out the winner!
My artistic talents were recognized and I was transferred to the bank's advertising department where I spent the next 3 years window dressing branch windows, designing display units, and controlling the shipment of show bags around the state to the numerous country shows (fairs). My only hiccup came when I set up a display in the head office building highlighting Ned Kelly, played by Mick Jagger in the movie. Kelly was Australia's most noted bushranger and bank robber during the gold rush period who just so happened to have robbed the same bank that employed me. Needless to say the display had to come down!
As I've told many people over the years, I consider my entry into graphic design was through the backdoor ... being in the right place at the right time when opportunities came my way. After leaving the bank I found my footing in a small advertising agency which a short time later inadvertently led to me being offered the position of art director for one of Australia's major publishing companies. At that time I wasn't sure what an art director was or what the job entailed. I survived an 'on the job' crash course in publishing and held the position for several years, even designing a wide array of books and magazines from front cover to back.
An American takeover of the company necessitated my having to move interstate to keep my position as book designer, and when a year or two later several of us were laid off I was astonished to receive an offer to become the #2 graphic designer in a one-man art studio back in Sydney. Finally I was working at my dream job designing all manner of material. When our studio was invited to join Australia's major advertising agencies to contend for a huge contract with the Henson Organization (which we won), I found myself illustrating material for their Pacific Region market — The Muppets, Muppet Babies, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal. And all the while my own artwork and commissions trotted leisurely alongside; gaining momentum each passing year.
It wasn't until Life threw me a curveball from left field in 1998 that my status as a recognized artist truly bloomed.
It was then that I met my American wife-to-be on the Internet; marrying her in Sydney, Australia in 1999; and tagging along with her back to North Idaho, a mere hour's drive from the Canadian border. In order for me to have a legitimate job, we bought a local art gallery and framing business and during the down time between customers and jobs I set up my art table and began drawing, ultimately catching the eye of many a passerby. Commissions began to walk through the door. I even did a series of portraits of one entire family — from grandparents to great grandchildren!
Now that I've settled into retirement I find I can focus on my portrait art, as well as my own work when time and inspiration allows. And I can think of no better way to fulfill a day when I hand over a completed portrait to a client and watch them tear up at the sight of a loved one immortalized on paper. An heirloom to be passed down to younger generations to cherish and enjoy; or of a special pet to live on in the portrait gracing the wall of its once-upon-a-time home.
I have always been a devotee of color pencil painting as it coped with my love for detail. Being self-taught as an artist, my skills have developed over the years as I've taken on work that forced me to challenge myself. But with the recent advent of arthritis and the ensuing pain and discomfort trying to work with pencils I have turned to watercolor, a medium that has evaded my attempts to work with it over the years. And I am encouraged on a daily basis by my efforts and by my wife, family, friends and ever-increasing number of followers to continue with my love for art that has been a life-long companion.