Brief Bio

    Marty Smith's personal journey as an artist began in her childhood. Born in 1980 in Little Rock, Arkansas and living in Cabot, Arkansas. Marty showed an interest in art from an early age. She remembers being given watercolors and paint for gifts before 5 years old.

    Each summer during her childhood, Marty's family would travel up the East coast to visit family. She remembers the long drives and drawing what she saw. It was the Blue Ridge Mountains, countrysides, city buildings, powerlines and beaches. "We went to so many places like, Washington D.C., New York City, Amish country in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Canada, and the rocky shores of Maine. I think it started my love for nature and architecture."

    In high school, Marty took art classes taught by Helen Goodman. After a hiatus from art in college to pursue other studies, she returned to art. She studied art at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, under A.J. Smith, Eric Mantel, Win Bruhl, and Katherine Strause to name a few. While taking fine art courses, she took graphic design and digital art classes.She currently works for the Arkansas State Parks designing calendars, brochures and other print material the 52 State Parks need.

    Whether it's city streets, buildings, nature or flowers each scene conveys a certain feeling and beauty. She works in oil, acrylic and watercolor depending on the mood and complexity of the subject. She paints from life or her own photographs. There are exceptions if painting on commissions. She works in the realistic and impressionistic style.

    Since 2005 she has been painting professionally and being in group and solo exhibitions. She enjoys helping local charities like the Youth Home and Our House in Little Rock. Seeing other artists work and meeting them inspires her artistic growth. Inspiration doesn't always come from other artists. Directors, musicians, actors can also have an influence on her art. Favorite subjects are people doing everyday things, old photos from the 1920's - 1950's, nature, biblical stories, florals and cityscenes. Some artists that interest her include Winslow Homer, Cezanne, Monet, Lyonel Feininger, Jonas Gerard, Karlyn Holloway, Elizabeth Weber and Georgia O'Keefe. Elizabeth Weber's ability to paint completely from the soul is amazing.

    Marty's artwork is exhibited both nationally and locally. It is currently displayed at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock, The Creative Space, The Paint Box Gallery and Starving Artist Cafe in North Little Rock. It is also in many private and corporate collections.