Greg Smith (born 1948 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian artist known for his animal and human (mostly commissioned) portraits that began circa 1965 and continues today. He emigrated to the United States in 1999, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2005.
Apart from 3 years of studying Art as a subject in high school, he is self-taught having always claimed Ito never had the time to spare for art classes. He has worked with oils, acrylics, watercolor, inks, and pastels . . . but his choice of medium is colored or graphite pencil.
His art has won several awards and commendations over the years from contests and exhibitions he has entered both in Australia and the United States. Currently his art is displayed in the homes of clients in Australia, the United States, England, and Europe.
Smith retired in 2016 from a career of 40+ years as a graphic designer (divided between Australia and the United States) and after traveling the country with his wife for 3 years in their 40ft 5th wheel they settled in Lady Lake, central Florida. Smith works from his modest home studio.
Statement"My favorite subjects are nature, animals and people. I use colored pencil as my preferred medium to capture the character and soul of the subject, but will turn to other medium when needed. Scenic studies I hope will display the essence and beauty nature has to offer; for portraits and the like I want my creations to look like they are living representations of their species; or depict the relationship that binds animal and human, pet and owner.
Animals are the innocents on this planet. We are their minders. We need to live together in mutual harmony. We are also caretakers of Nature and as such be mindful of its needs and our precarious relationship with it. "
