"Good Trouble" Drawing

I’m a contemporary figurative painter born with the soul of an artist who loves humanity. Faces and figures of everyday people, the quirky or the ones left behind or cast off speak deeply to me. And, this is the focus of my work.

I create in a series.While each painting is independent, it allows a more complete exploration of that subject without pressure to cram all ideas onto one canvas.

My work is expressionistic because of the emotion I capture. That’s my goal. A tiny inner voice that seems to belong to a prospective subject speaks to me. And, when I listen, I get expressive, emotionally charged paintings; full of questions and narratives. That’s my goal. I was at an impressionable age during the 1960’s and that influence is still present in much of my work. Blogs on my website talk about some of them in greater detail. I want viewers to think.
But, not everything is serious. I care about people and society but when life or news seems too heavy or unmanageable, I sometimes resort to lighter subject matter; dragons, for example.

In all my work, I explore color and composition in symbolic, expressionistic ways and work fairly large. There is considerable planning but I also allow for serendipity. My compositions run off edges, because stories or scenes live past the confines of the substrate. And, confronting a viewer with life size images is bolder, empowering, memorable and impressive.

I’ve begun working with printmaking also, particularly variable editions of drypoint, intaglio etchings and collage.I think that having new paintings and printmaking projects going simultaneously is of great benefit to both mediums and keeps me inspired and energized.

My work wanted to be made; needed to be made and picked me to birth them.Giving voice to my subjects has helped me find my own. For this, I’m grateful.

My work is available at Brad Smith GAllery, 716 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico.