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WELCOME to ART by MARIA J. SMITH!
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HELLO, and welcome to my site! Here you will find art by Maria J. Smith - art that allows you to feel good. I hope you can experience for yourself how contemplating beautiful art refreshes the spirit when you've had another one of those busy, hectic days.
WHO I AM. I was born in the Netherlands where Rembrandt and Vermeer still reign supreme, and as a child I decided that if they could do it, then so could I. After more than 50 years, I am still working on it.
THE WAY I THINK. I have always been an introspective person, and actually spent most of my life (since I was about 12 years old) thinking about thinking - how and why we think the way we do, what influences our thinking, and how our opinions and beliefs are formed. It has been a long and difficult journey of inward discoveries, but I believe this life-long search for understanding has significantly influenced my art and the direction it has taken. Over the years these discoveries evolved into a set of thinking skills that I call Intuitive Thinking that are very useful for artists and other people. This Intuitive Thinking process allows you to be unusually objective and know what is right or wrong at any given moment in time. This is very conducive to a truly positive attitude, evidenced by a great lack of frustration, impatience and uncertainty in one's life. It is invaluable in painting, too. But I digress...
I TAUGHToff and on for about 30 years - in California and Alaska - where I also taught at the Kenai Peninsula College. I love teaching and working with people. That is why I founded the art school The Artist's Atelier in Twin Falls, Idaho. That is where I teach traditional oil painting and drawing and the thinking skills I developed as they apply to the creation of art, and the painting process.
MY GOAL is to bring more beauty (Light) - and the experience of beauty (Light) - into people's lives. And to enhance and embrace that experience of beauty and Light through Intuitive Thinking. I do this by sharing what I have learned about thinking and painting with my students at the Artist's Atelier and by making my art available to viewers and collectors.
WHAT I PAINT: I create oil paintings of tranquil landscapes, contemplative still lifes, and peaceful wildlife; I also accept commissions for oil portraits of children, adults of any age, as well as pet portraits.
HOW I PAINT: I often work from photos as well as from life. Generally though, I find that using photos for reference (which I prefer to take myself with the concept for the picture in mind), in combination with painting from life works well for me. I use Intuitive Thinking to connect to my Intuitive Center, and I am then able to "see" much more in the reference photo than it actually shows. Then, my intellect and intuition can work in concert (seamlessly, without discord or friction) so that I am able to utilize the principles of art and the techniques of oil painting to capture the concept for my painting on canvas in a harmonious way.
WHERE TO SEE WHAT I PAINT: Right here, in my online art gallery! But if you're in the neighborhood of Twin Falls, Idaho, you are welcome to contact me for a "red carpet" tour of my studio "The Artist's Atelier" (see info. below). This online art gallery, while not extensive, will give you a good idea of the nature and quality of my work. I hope you enjoy your visit!
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For a free full-color brochure, questions or comments on my work or about traditional art instruction, please contact me as follows: Art by Maria J. Smith The Artist's Atelier 1300 Kimberly Road, Suite 17 Twin Falls, ID 83301 Tel. (208) 734-3003 maria@artbymariajsmith.com
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Please click on 'Still Life Paintings' and 'Oil Portraits & Figures' on the left side of this page to view my gallery of Art.
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