"The Gatekeeper" Print

"My art and life has been a process of moving from darkness into light." - 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.