Brad Smith

Brad Smith is emerging as the most romantic painter in Santa Fe, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Both men and women collect Smith's paintings, and both seem equally beguiled by the magic. Women identify with the emotions and dreams they sense behind the expressions of these elegant yet somehow familiar ladies. Men feel a tug of desire that is less for the subject of the painting than for the possibilities of life and love they see in her face. Everyone seems to realize that there is vastly more here than meets the eye.

Smith is careful not to interpose himself between his work and the viewer's reveries. He allows the mystery to ripen in the mind, remaining silent, betraying his thoughts only by a slight smile and a twinkle. Like the paintings themselves, there is more to him than is immediately evident. To begin with, he is an accomplished professional musician who has lived Nashville, toured with well-known performers, and played with big city symphonies. Another of his talents is archery, and he once owned a company that produced Indian-style bows. Through it all, he has enjoyed making art and has developed it to a high degree. 

"My palette has become softer and brighter since I moved here," he observes. "I am able to paint exactly what I see without any effort, so I am limited only by my imagination." What he sees, and what he imagines, is often a woman. She may be getting dressed and talking softly to her cat. Through the window is a seascape with the tide coming in, and on the table is a vase of flowers sent by an unknown love. Always, there is a story - perhaps even an entire novel. A note on the table, a half-finished glass of wine, a cherished souvenir may furnish a clue, but never an explanation. The plot, the narrative, and the details are entirely up to the viewer.  

Many collectors who experience this literary mystery ask Smith to create a personally meaningful painting just for them. They provide elements such as goblets or sunflowers, for instance, or they will ask him to move the figure to a table by the sea. Frequently, they want their painting set in a particular spot in Santa Fe, or want to include a certain element such as the swan on the mantel at the Hotel St. Francis. Brad Smith is happy to honor such requests, but he especially enjoys commissions that involve Santa Fe, for it is here that he has found himself as an artist. 

"...moving here has had the most profound effect on my life and my art," he says. "I have been totally reborn as an artist. There is so much creative energy here that is is a constant inspiration. Santa Fe sets you free to achieve your potential. For me, it was a vital transformation." His studio is a large, airy space with many windows and skylights, where there is one easel, a table, and a chair. Paintings in progress line the walls. There is no inventory of finished pieces, for the galleries snap up each painting soon as it is dry, and he can hardly keep up with the demand. "

 –Suzanne Deats

 Artist statement 

I feel I am just beginning to paint. I am finding my voice more and more confidently with every painting... I find having my own gallery has set me free to paint and exhibit the painting I feel most strongly about and the feedback from my clients and collectors has been so positive that I am painting more from my heart every day...I am inspired by a wide range of subjects and I feel each subject requires a little different approach.... from abstract to portraiture I feel my way through each painting trying to enjoy the process as much as the finished canvas. I put my heart and soul into each canvas ,,,,but the more I paint the more inspiration comes and the more paintings I have Ideas for.. Ii am so excited about everyday that I have time to work on another creative idea.... and to have a client or collector want a painting for their collection makes the most satisfied feeling of all... I love to share my work and if it brings positive energy to a collectors environment,, I am so grateful that I am able to  translate that through my work....and share it with others.. It just doesn't get any better than that for me ,,, and I struggle to live in the moment and appreciate everything that is happening.. and on to the next painting I go... I hope I someday have the privilege (if I haven't already)  to share a painting with you.)

 Brad