About Martha Smith

I used to spend hours drawing in the dirt or sand when I was much younger and stood closer to the ground. I would start out squatting, then would tire and sit, eventually sprawling on the dirt as my stick would brake into a shorter and shorter drawing tool. Ultimately making use of my bare fingers, until they were raw or until I was caught playing in the dirt. I lost use of my Earthly canvas when my parents bought a home which had cemented patios, our new street was paved with cobble stones. The only available soil was that which served as mortar between the stones in the street. I remember being four years old and hovering in admiration over my older brother and sister when they would draw, trace, and color. I memorized what they drew and for the next ten years I would draw lips, lip birds, donkeys, and my brother's super hero.

I have since studied under Martha Fuller, Jean Fowler, Robert Shaneyfelt, Judy Leer, Andres Feres, David Loganburg, and Fred Dalkey. Through their instruction, I have learned to create and recreate a visual interpretation of the visible and also the unseen: memories, thoughts, faith, hope, feelings, observations, analogies, imagination, and scenes from my minds eye. I like using bright colors and mostly work with acrylic, soft pastels, charcoal, and graphite. I use soft pastels on pet portraits and even though I have done pointillism on paper with marker or ink, I prefer using acrylic on canvas. Abstracts to me represent freedom and most of mine tell of an event, a dream, or an inspirational message. Pointillism provides a greater freedom for me when the mobility in my hands and wrists is challenged.

A retired high school Attendance Clerk, Volleyball coach, Basketball coach, Softball coach, and empty nest-er, I find it necessary to remain productive. 46 years young and challenged by Rheumatoid Arthritis, I choose to have only positive in my life and even better days.

Art is my message and my way of staying connected - being a contributing factor and not a member of the living dead. Through disability I have been given all the time in the world to once again do what I enjoyed doing with my children and as a youngster...