Introducing “Going with the Flow”
This latest oil painting is still drying on its easel. And I am contemplating the next subject in this theme that has taken hold of [...]
Introducing “Ripple Effect”
Painting feels like my truest, most expansive space. And painting water-themed subjects, as I'm doing with my current water series, seems to take me deeper [...]
Expressing the Beauty of Solitude
I’ve never been a crowd kind of guy. My painting subjects often reflect this. “Table for One,” my latest oil, is yet another example of [...]
Taking It Slowly, Mindfully
Painting is a journey of self-discovery for me. As usual, my painting is a way of exploring what lurks inside my psyche, bypassing the [...]
When We Look Deeper
Usually, it’s far too easy staying in familiar grooves of seeing and experiencing. My mom, who was a brilliant art teacher and mentor, both at [...]
Living in the here and now.
I don’t often go through the archives of my past paintings… Recently I did and came across this one, entitled [...]
The Sure Fire Creativity Killer
Being motivated by what people might think can kill the creative muse. I've known I've been a people pleaser most of my life. I've often [...]
Pardon My Mess…I’m Building Something New
Making Something New… © Jed Smith With change comes a few bumps and a bit of mess… Just a month ago I embarked on a [...]
Reflecting on Life as Night Falls in Venice
Life and beauty aren’t always found in brilliant light. Maybe this is a brief, passing phase, but I’m finding myself increasingly fascinated with the “darker [...]
May the Stars of Possibility Light Your Way
My extraordinary artistic mother lit the fuse of my imagination. My brilliant engineering father taught me how to construct a plan and a path towards making something [...]
What Are Your Intentions for the Journey?
Photo by Jed Smith ©2016 I’ve been staring at a blank page (for this week’s post), and a blank canvas (for my next [...]
Biding Time and the Art of Waiting
Biding Time is a watercolor I completed many years ago and is in the private collection of some very dear friends (I love it when [...]
Tranquility Often is Just Around the Corner
A Venice canal in the Cannaregio at dusk. Venice is my favorite city in Italy. I love how it is full of mystery, [...]
Seeking Clarity and the Illusion of Reality
Clarity – Private Collection The painting above, Clarity, is one of my favorites. I was drawn to this woman’s face because I sensed clarity [...]
Being…Just Being.
Just Being is a recent photo by Jed Smith, taken in Basilicata (the arch of the "foot" of Italy) In my photography and [...]
Finding Your Voice – Staying Open
Being and staying open to the full gamut of experience that life has to offer isn’t something that has come naturally to me. I still [...]
Finding Your Voice, and Your Unique Style
I’ve always preferred Bernini’s style of David, to Michelangelo’s. Yet, there is no right and no wrong, when it comes to self expression. Part [...]
Finding Your Voice, and Learning to Play
I believe the word “should” can be your greatest nemesis when it comes to learning to play and to “finding your voice”. As I wrote in the [...]