Meet Christina Smith

I’ve been near-sighted all my life and I think that has had a lot to do with my passion for details. I wasn’t able to see the “big picture” so close-ups became my world. It’s still the small details that fascinate me and I like to think I help people find a new awareness of their daily surroundings.

My work is my own personal exploration of the creature I’ve become interested in. I study the structure and read about the habits, diet and the environment. I look in my woods for bits and pieces of branches, leaves, nuts and berries ….. whatever can build an appropriate setting. Painting and drawing is my way of learning. I hope the result is a sharing of the way I feel about the world around me and a reminder to stop and enjoy nature.

I had only one year of college as an art major so really I’m self-taught. I just kept trying. I had three major turning points. First, I discovered I didn’t have to cover the whole page. For someone obsessed with details that was a big thing! I could paint or draw just what I was interested in and a careful composition would finish the piece. Second, I found a paint called gouache. Gouache is a watercolor but, unlike the usual watercolor, gouache is opaque so I can paint light over dark. I can layer gouache, adding fine strokes of detail over base colors and later soften those strokes with a quick swipe of a wet brush. It works for me and gives me the strong color I want. Third, I discovered using pencil for my branches and foliage. The pencil serves to play down the setting and leave first impressions to my subject. Spend more time looking and the subtile details in the pencil work will draw you in - pun intended! Nature is like that too. Her details will draw you in.

I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri but I love northwest Arkansas and it’s been home for a long time. I started exhibiting at art fairs in 1977 and I’ve really enjoyed this artshow lifestyle. I’ve had many happy adventures and had to puzzle out a few challenging ones. The challenges make good stories!

Life is good and I am so grateful!

Quicksilver, The Nature Gallery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas handles my work and is a wonderful gallery full of beautiful work by many talented area artists.

Eureka Springs is a resort town dating back to the Victorian days of 1880. With a huge historic area that’s been carefully preserved, wonderful landscaping, galleries and excellent restaurants, Eureka is a “must see”!!!

Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, The Woodlands, Texas, 2020 Featured Artist

​Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Pensacola, FL
2024 Sponsors Award, 2021 Judges Award, 2019 Award of Distinction, 2018 Award of Distinction, 2016 Award of Honor, 2015 Judges Award, 2013 Award of Honor

Boston Mills Art Fest, Peninsula, OH
2019 Honorable Mention, 2018 Best in Category

Orange Beach Festival of the Arts
Orange Beach, AL 2019 Best of Show

Chain of Parks Art Festival Tallahassee, FL
2018 Best of Show

Eastern Shore Art Festival, Fairhope, AL
2019 Merit Award, 2018 Foundation Award, 2014 Award of Distinction, 2012 Best of Show, 2011 Award of Distinction

Summerfair, Cincinnati, OH
2023 Honorable Mension, 2022 Honorable Mention, 2019 Second Place Drawing, 2018 Second Place Drawing

The Art Fair at Queeny Park, Ballwin, MO
2023 Two Dimensional Award of Excellence, 2019 Award of Mastery 2D, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Award of Excellence,

The Uptown Arts Festival, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Best of Show Mixed Media, 2013 Top 10% Award

ArtiGra Fine Arts Festival, Jupiter, Florida
2016 First Place

Three Rivers Art Fest, Covington, LA
2024 Best of Show, 2022 Award of Distinction, 2016 Award of Distinction, 2010 Best of Two Dimensional

Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Mt Gretna, PA
2015 Judge’s Choice

ArtFest Fort Myers, Ft Myers, FL
2014 Award of Distinction, 2012 First Place Two Dimensional, 2011 Award of Distinction

Eastern Shore 51st Annual Outdoor Art Show, Fairhope,AL 2023 Mixed Media, Second Place