Blue Smith - 60 Second Portfolio

Video Description:
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As a young man, Blu Smith worked as a sign painter and commercial artist, developing his accuracy and precision in painting. However, it was these attributes that Smith came to find restricting -- his mature style as an abstract painter began as an exercise to free himself from the technical restraints of realism. Non-representational work became a creatively freeing direction that evolved his unique voice as an artist.
"I look at my paintings not as individual pieces but rather as a living, breathing and constantly changing body of work. It really does take on a life of it's own," Smith says about his process. His subject matter is based on organic shapes with strong ties to nature, balanced with cavernous spaces that are filled with light so as to glow with an atmospheric quality.
Typically, Smith begins with broad washes and textures, pulling out and developing 3D shapes within the structures. He then attempts to resolve the surface with incisive line drawing. "My work is about the diversity of two different states, the transitions between the two. The real interest lies in bridging the gap between structure and space, foreground and background," Smith explains.
Smith lives in Victoria, on the west coast of Canada, with his wife and young family. He's exhibited work throughout Canada, Europe and the U.S. for several years.
Artist Website - www.westendgal...
Gallery Website - www.westendgal...
Art Gallery Bio
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Since 1975, the West End Gallery has showcased the works of leading Canadian painters and glass artists. Established by Dan and Lana Hudon in the west end of Edmonton, Alberta, the gallery has grown to include their son, Matthew, in 2005.
The West End Gallery has an impressive roster of renowned, contemporary Canadian artists - many internationally recognized and considered important acquisitions to dedicated collectors. Our painters range from photo-realism to abstract, including figurative, landscape, and still life, encompassing a variety of media. Our outstanding and innovative glass artists distinguish themselves with their talent, technique, and high quality work. They present an array of remarkable glassworks with a multitude of form and function that can only be described as inspiring, alluring, and exhilarating.
Music
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Sappheiros & Almaa - Change by Sappheiros is
licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Filmed on Nikon d7100 w/Tokina 11-20 mm f2.8