Preston M Smith PMS
Preston M Smith PMS
Los Angeles, CA, United States
About Preston M Smith PMS
"I paint the light and dark that is within us all." - PMS Artist Preston M. Smith (PMS) found himself cross-eyed and with no depth perception as a child. This was the "lens" through which he developed his unique visual perspective of the world, which he now shares as a painter. Before focusing completely on his visual artwork, Preston spent many years developing and expanding his creative mindset by acting professionally, touring and lead singing for a punk/ska band, and writing two novels as well as a collection of poetry and original paintings. All of this experience fed into his ability to access his creative voice and communicate his own experience. Over the years, Preston’s artwork has transitioned from moody pop surrealist paintings into vibrantly colorful, tactile, highly textured and almost "edible" abstract works. His mantra for his abstract work is "color, texture, and beauty", and his work and life have been an expression of moving from darkness into light. Preston’s work has been showcased alongside David Lynch and at the Inaugural Purple Ball for President Obama’s Inauguration in 2009, where he was commissioned to paint 12 portraits of the President. Very recently, his work was selected by a panel of curators as a winner in the 1st 2018 ArtSlant Artprize Showcase. His work has also been on display at the world famous La Luz De Jesus Gallery, and in numerous exhibitions throughout Los Angeles and across the country. Preston's was also recently the subject of a documentary short directed by Tony Lugo entitled "Negativity To Creativity" and his work is in private collections around the world as well in the homes of celebrities such as Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, and so forth.
Education:
Bachelors Degree from Gonzaga University (1997 -2001): Fine Art and Theatre Arts.
Awarded Kreielsheimer Assistantship (2001): Assistant Teacher to Aritst and Professor Robert Gilmore. Focus on Painting and Drawing Classes.
Events:
Check out my new podcast, "The Living Artist". You can hear more of what I do and get a feel for my creative mindset:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-living-artist/id1502469424
Preston recently had an exclusive interview with Asymmetric Magazine about his Solo Exhibition at ShockBoxx Gallery. Read the interview:
https://www.asymmetricmag.com/featured/prestonmsmith
Preston's work was recently chosen and displayed for a Fundraiser for the Vegan Reggae Fest in Van Nuys, CA. He was the only visual artist to participate and was interviewed for the Jane Valez-Mitchell show. Funds raised went to benefit the Reggae Fest and Go Vegan Radio with Bob Linden.
Preston's work was just selected as a winner in the 1st 2018 Artslant Prize Showcase by a panel of curators out of artists from all around the globe. March 2018 - https://www.artslant.com/la/showcases/showcase?listtype=showcase&sublist=67%5Eall&mc_cid=81875eb079&mc_eid=e621d3e78f
Preston's work was featured in Offbeat Bride (two times) recently, for a PMS Artwork inspired wedding vow renewal photo shoot, June 2017 - http://offbeatbride.com/art-inspired-vow-renewal/
PMS was the subject of a Documentary short film "Negativity To Creativity" by Tony Lugo. July, 2017. - https://youtu.be/cPxGIaHVJdY
Preston was interviewed for Steve Molter's series "Five Questions", April 2017 - https://www.fivequestions.me/interviews/2017/5/16/five-questions-preston-smith
Preston's work was featured in the second issue of Art Muzeo Magazine in May, 2017. - http://www.artmuzeomagazine.com/issue2
In late 2016, Preston created and auctioned off a live painting with Olympic figure skater Gary Visconti for the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation to benefit creative jobs in California.
Preston was honored to be chosen in 2016 to complete a series of PMS Mini Murals for the city of Palms, in West Los Angeles for the Motor Avenue Improvement Association.
"An Evening of Magic, Mystery, & Intrigue", Benefit Auction for the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation, The Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA. Preston M. Smith and Gary Charles Visconti contributing artists. Sharon Jimenez, director.
Preston M. Smith (PMS Artwork) has been commissioned to paint 12 paintings of President Barack Obama for the Inaugural Purple Ball in Washington D.C. (2009) and these paintings now are in the collections of Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Patricia Arquette, Amy Brenneman, Josh Lucas, Il Divo, and more.
His work was displayed alongside David Lynch at a benefit for the David Lynch Foundation where his live painting was auctioned and sold among Mr. Lynch and one other artist.
Preston's work has been highlighted in Artist Portfolio Magazine for the issue and competition "NY vs. LA" where he was one of only 10 Los Angeles artists to be selected.
His work has been in a prominent group exhibition at the AD Gallery in Beverly, the bG Gallery at Bergamot Station, in "Laluzapalooza" at the world famous La Luz De Jesus Gallery and at haleARTS S P A C E in Santa Monica, California.
Exhibitions:
2020 (Partial List)
"LA Art Show 2020", bG Gallery Booth, Circular Art, LA Art Show, Modern + Contemporary, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA, bG Gallery and Airom Bleicher, Curator.
2019
Solo exhibition, "Playtime Is Over?", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins, director and owner. May 18 - 25th. Opening Reception is Saturday, May 18th 7 - 9pm.
"Spectrum Gestalt 6", bG Gallery, 3009 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 , Airom Bleicher, Curator.
"Dumpster Fire", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins, director and owner.
"LA Art Show 2019", bG Gallery Booth, Circular Art, LA Art Show, Modern + Contemporary, Los Angeles Convention Center, Downtown Los Angeles, CA, bG Gallery and Airom Bleicher, Curator.
2018
"Usual Suspects", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins, owner.
"Stripes", BG Gallery, 3009 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90405, Airom Bleicher, owner.
"Naked As A Daisy", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.
"David Bowie Tribute Exhibition", Neutra Museum, 2379 Glendale Blvd., Silverlake, CA. Dulce Stein, curator.
2017
"Abstract Badass", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.
"Coaster Show 2017", La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Hollywood, CA. Matt Kennedy, director.
"$100 Art Sale", haleARTS S P A C E, Santa Monica, CA. Betsy Enzensberger, curator.
"Dulcepalloza", Neutra Museum, 2379 Glendale Blvd., Silverlake, CA. Dulce Stein, curator.
"Vs." Gallery 825/LAAA, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, LAAA curated.
"Out There" Gallery 825/LAAA, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069, Juried by William Escalera and Francisco George.
"Deconstructing Color & Form", 4 Artist Show, Beyond The Lines Gallery, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Brittany Davis, director.
2016
"Grand Opening" Beyond The Lines Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Brittany Davis, director.
"Coaster Show 2016", La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Hollywood, CA. Matt Kennedy, director.
"Spectrum Gestalt 3", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A map | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.
"Live Painting & Auction", Benefit Auction for the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation, Santa Monica, CA. Preston M. Smith (PMS), Gary Charles Visconti, and Jake Hernandez contributing artists. Sharon Jimenez, director.
"Laluzapalooza", La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Hollywood, CA. Matt Kennedy, director.
2015
"Spectrum Gestalt 2", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A map | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.
"Group Exhibition", AD Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA. Amy Delaporte, owner and curator.
"Nu Art", WIZNU Labs Gallery, Downtown Lost Angeles Arts District, CA. Kendra Cryan, curator.
"Group Exhibition", Hud Gallery, Ventura, CA. Yessica Torres, curator.
2012/13
Celebrity Veteran's Day event, “Group Show/Fundraiser”, Camarillo CA Tracy Saunders, Organizer.
Group Show/Competition, “Trees”, Dysonna City Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Donna Dyson, Director.
L’art Pour L’art, “The Painted Dot”, Think Tank Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Baha Danesh, Organizer.
2011
The Hive Gallery, “Group Show”, Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Romina Gonzalez, Director.
2009
Barack Obama Inauguration, “Inaugural Purple Ball”, 12 original “Obama” paintings commissioned for and featured at event and distributed to varies celebrities such as Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Il Divo, and more. Foad Afshari, Organizer.
2008
The Key Club, “Fundraiser/Art Show” for the David Lynch Foundation. Hollywood, CA. David Lynch and Preston Smith donating artists. Joshua Reed and Erin Skipper organizers.
2007
Colachi Arts, “PMS Artwork” - Solo Show. Manitou Springs, CO. Tina Siegfried, Director.
Infusion Gallery, “Group Show” - Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Jill and Dover Abrams, Directors.