Known for softly polished tonal paintings of traditional Texas landscapes and sunsets, artist David MacSmith occasionally takes a U-turn in style, using a palette knife and his fingers to create abstracts that are at the other end of the artistic spectrum. “As an artist, I get a great deal of joy out of discovering different techniques and styles,” he explains. “I’m always eager to learn new methods.”

Born and raised in rural Ohio, that keen desire to learn led him to read books on artists, such as Monet, Robert Wood and Andrew Wyeth. During the 1950s, he also watched—with youthful enthusiasm—the television program “Learn to Draw.” He recalls, “The only problem was that after the instructor broke for a commercial and then came back, his drawing was always much more complete than mine!” After high school, MacSmith received his formal art training at Abilene Christian University and Ohio State University. This led to a successful 25-year career in advertising art and computer graphic art design. In the late 1990s, however, MacSmith felt a strong desire to take his talent in new directions and made the decision to put down the computer keyboard and pick up his oil brushes.

Since then, he’s pursued subjects and techniques of his choice. His most constant theme has been the Texas landscape and what he refers to as the state’s “knock-your-socks-off” sunsets. MacSmith came to appreciate the dramatic beauty of Texas skies in 1967, during his first trip to the Lone Star State. “Up until then, I never knew what I had been missing—the big sky and almost unbelievable colors that are seen in Texas sunsets.”
Today, when it comes to observing and depicting Texas skies, he notes a special connection with the Creator’s colorful handiwork and wants to share it with others. “A beautiful sunset goes by so quickly,” he explains. “By capturing its essence in a painting, I let people savor that moment of reflection as it comes shining through. It’s a gift I can give to them and to myself.”

Occasionally though, for his own satisfaction, MacSmith breaks away from such traditional subject matter to venture into the world of abstract art. “Abstract is a change of pace,” he says. “It allows me to be completely spontaneous in my choices of color and texture, and just follow my emotions as I work.” Referring to these free-spirited works as “non-objectionable,” he currently has three series of abstracts. The first, titled “Intersections,” took its initial influence from his wife’s quilting designs. The second, “Botanics,” is suggestive in look, color and feel of something more earthy or organic. In the most recent series, “Transitions,” he commingles representational and non-representational images.

Whether striving for realism or opting for abstraction, MacSmith admits that the early stages of any painting can be tough. “As colors and shapes are first being blocked in, the painting doesn’t look like much,” he says. “But if you keep going and trust in what you are doing, you move through the ‘ugly curve’ and get to the best part, where the beauty begins to come through.” Making an unlikely, yet humorous, comparison, he states that creating a beautiful painting is a lot like making cupcakes. “It’s not a pretty process, until it’s time to put on the icing and the sprinkles.”

David MacSmith is a member of the Texas Wild Bunch, one of the oldest active artist organizations in Texas. Currently, he and his wife Che Che live in Denison, Texas, where he maintains his painting studio. His work has been featured in art shows and events throughout Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and can be regularly seen at the following galleries:

Fredericksburg Art Gallery
314 E. Main
Fredericksburg, Texas
830-990-2707
www.fbgartgallery.com

Texas Art Gallery
5570 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209
214-350-8500
www.txartgallery.com 

The Art Place
413 West Main Street
Denison, Texas 75020
903-327-8180
www.artplacegallery.com