Ed Smiley

My last three years have been spent fighting potentially fatal lung disease. This had reached the point I was too exhausted to work, but early this year I got a lung transplant!

I had been waiting, listed for transplant for two years.

My art reflects a faith of a kind.
I believe in the elusive. I believe in the poetic. I believe in ecstasy and in joy. Color is life.

My dark experiences have deepened the kind of beauty I am seeking. Lung transplants are the most risky transplants. They come with a significant risk of fatal complications.

My recent work has been inspired by the recent experiences of loss and the treachery of the body. Prior to transplant, I did a what I call the "Embodiment Series" of paintings which I will be posting on Saatchi Art as my recovery progresses.

I prepared myself for my hospital stay by getting some small art supplies.

While in the hospital, I was hooked up to multiple IV lines, and feeding tubes. I was on a ventilator three times. The work I did were abstractions inspired by my body, the medical equipment, the views out my window, the folds in my bed sheets and so forth.

I am currently working on some digital posters I will be posting for sale on Saatchi based on the hospital work, which I call the "Hospital Suite".

Bachelors in Art (2D)
University of California Santa Cruz

Past:
"Santa Cruz Open Studios" October 2017, and 2018
Juried open studio event
Santa Cruz CA
"Rare Art Fair"
JCO'S Art Haus May 2017
Los Gatos CA

"Catamaran Anniversary Art Show at R. Blitzer Gallery" Art and Jazz Anniversary Gala, featuring 3 of my works November 2014

"Eyeball Music"  One Man Art Event  Art Revór Santa Cruz, CA  November 2012 

* List of One Man, Juried Shows, & Awards:

Selected One Man Shows:
“Small Works”
Red Dot Gallery
August 2019

"Eyeful: The Colorful Abstracts of Ed Smiley"
Boyer Gallery, Pacific Grove Art Center
Pacific Grove CA
May 2018

"Ed Smiley"
Santa Cruz Art League Santa Cruz CA
August 14 - September 13 2015

"Ed Smiley: Colorful Abstracts"
Gallery 505 Santa Cruz CA July 1-31 2015

"Reinventions"
Boyer Gallery, Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove April 12, 2012 May 23, 2012

"Wayward Offspring"
Leeds Gallery, Santa Cruz CA
May 31, 2012 July 4, 2012

"Recent Paintings"
Santa Cruz Art League
February 12, 2011 March 6, 2011

"Stroke of Luck" One Man Show
Louden Nelson Center, Santa Cruz CA
February 2010

* Juried Shows

"Members Exhibit"
Pacific Art League Palo Alto CA
July 2017

"Science, Technology and The Future of Art"
Pacific Art League Palo Alto CA (AWARD)
July 2017

Arrangements in Black & White
Santa Cruz Art League
August 2016

"Abstractions, Pure Color, Shape, Form & Imagination!" Juried, Pacific Art League, Palo Alto
(AWARD)
February 2015

"All Mixed Up "
Santa Cruz Art League
July 2014

"Abstractions: Pure Color, Shape, Form and Imagination" Juried Pacific Art League Palo Alto
February 2014

"16th Annual Open International Society of Acrylic Painters International Exhibition" Juried
Paso Robles Art Association The Showroom Gallery
July, 2013

"All Those Figures" Juried
Santa Cruz Art League
August 2013

"Abstract" Juried
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol CA
March 2011

"International Society of Acrylic Painters 13th Annual Exhibit" Juried
Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz CA
July 2010

"Transference of Light " Juried
Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz CA
June 2010

"National Drawing and Sculpture Exhibit" Juried
Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz CA
December 2009

* Awards:
"Science, Technology and The Future of Art"
First Prize Winner
Pacific Art League Juried Show Palo Alto CA
July 2017, Juror: Susanne Forchheimer.

"50 Memorable Painters 2015" Poets and Artists magazine, curated by John Seed and Didi Menendez

"Abstractions, Pure Color, Shape, Form & Imagination!"
Second Prize Winner
Pacific Art League Juried Show Palo Alto CA
February 6th-26th, 2015

* Curation:
Co-curator "Abstract Santa Cruz" 2016, and 2019
R.Blitzer Gallery
Santa Cruz CA