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The artist, Lee Smith 9/15/09

Hello, I haven't painted in a good while. There was an accident late 2008, had to have a lot of cosmetic dentistry. Early January 2009, my mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly and I've not been able to focus on painting.

OCTOBER 2009 UPDATE: I'm happy to say, I have completed a few commissions in 2009 and am beginning preparations that will enable me to get new works online soon . Most of my commissions are pet portraits which I love to do but I also create in several styles including modern art, traditional and non traditional portraits and decorative arts. Here are some 2009 commissions: This first one was a request by a fellow artist and dear friend who wanted her normally clownish guy portrayed with a serious demeanor but wearing a definitely seriously whimsical hat:

This was commissioned by noted art collector and critic, Mr. Bob Gibson of his precious Shih Tzu, Thumper:

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work is color, textures and constantly changing imagery. Intuitive vs a technical painter, I sketch with paint and use the "sight size" method. Emphasis on light, shadows and depth is characteristic of my work. I'm comfortable with vivid happy palettes for whimsical works and subdued neutrals for realist and classical work. Following circadian rhythms, allows the ebb and flow of my energy to give my work natural direction day by day. Realism requires energy for intense focus. On low energy days, I work loosely, painting more whimsical work. When I paint, I always think of my grandmother and artist, the late Esther Leach Thornburg.