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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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