Preston M Smith

Artist Statement:

Painting for me is a raw and cathartic expression of my inner self. It is also an expression of the human condition. I see myself almost as a conduit for expressing raw and passionate emotions, without a filter. I think this is why people respond to my work, because they recognize these emotions from my art, in themselves. I have personally used art to heal and work through some rough periods in my life, and I like to say that my artwork is a process of transitioning from "darkness into light". In my abstraction, the work flows from a vibrant cosmic fluidity to a sort of messy geometrical abstraction. I am obsessed with both the assemblage and decay of beautiful forms, color and texture in my tactile oil paintings and I strive to let the medium itself have a strong voice. My textures are thick, chewy and many people say seemingly "edible", daring the viewer to want to touch and feel each piece. I like the idea that everything is transitory and that forms and even my own paintings will change with time. My figurative paintings are moody and surreal. Eyes are a focal point and these pieces convey a deep existential and emotional content. I stay constantly inspired by surrounding myself with music, literature, movies, and by cultivating my own everyday experiences. I employ all of these elements to better access the present moment, where all true creativity flows from, and which allows ideas to adapt and evolve. This is what feeds my art and helps it to grow and change with every passing day.

Education:

2001 - Bachelors Degree from Gonzaga University - Spokane, WA. Fine Art and Theatre Arts.

2001-02 - Assistant Teacher to Artist/Professor Robert Gilmore. Focus on Painting and Drawing classes. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.

Awards & Distinctions:

2018 - My work "Awakenings" chosen as a winner by a panel of curators for the 1st 2018 ArtSlant Prize Showcase. https://www.artslant.com/la/works/show/1087765

2015 - My painting "Shattered" takes 3rd Place in the "All Abstracts" International Art Competition through Contemporary Art Gallery Online.

2015 - Chosen as one of ten artists from Los Angeles for Artist's Portfolio Magazine's competition and issue entitled, "NY vs. LA".

2014 - Hatchfund Grant. "Frame Me" 

2001 -2002 - Awarded Krelsheimer Assistantship. Assistant to Professor/Teacher Robert Gilmore. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Exhibitions:

2019 

Solo Exhibition, "Playtime Is Over?", Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins director and owner.

"Spectrum-Gestalt 6", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.

"Dumpster Fire", Group Exhibition at Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins director and owner.

"LA Art Show", bG Gallery Booth, Circular Art, LA Art Show, Modern + Contemporary, Los Angeles Convention Center, Downtown Los Angeles, CA, bG Gallery and Airom Bleicher, Curator.

Vegan Reggae Music Festival, Solo Exhibiting Artist, Garden Grove Amphitheatre, Garden Grove, CA. Bob Linden, organizer.

2018

"The Miniature Show", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.

"The Water Between Us", Group Exhibition at 'Rail Too', The Little River Arts District, Art Basel Miami Week 2018, Miami FL. Maria Apostolidis and Design Art Concepts organizers.

Vegan Reggae Festival Fundraiser, Solo Artist, Studio City, CA. Bob Linden, organizer. Interviewed for the Jane Velez Mitchell show for the event.

"The Usual Suspects", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.

"Stripes", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.

"Naked As A Daisy", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.

"David Bowie Tribute Show", Neutra Museum, 2379 Glendale Blvd., Silverlake, CA. Dulce Stein, curator.

2017

"Abstract Badass", Shockboxx Project Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. Michael Collins and Laura Schuler, directors and owners.

"Coaster Show 2017", La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Hollywood, CA. Matt Kennedy, director.

"$100 Art Sale", haleARTS S P A C E, Santa Monica, CA. Betsy Enzensberger, curator.

"Dulcepalloza", Neutra Museum, 2379 Glendale Blvd., Silverlake, CA. Dulce Stein, curator.

"Vs.", Gallery 825, Los Angeles Art Association, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069.

"Out There", Gallery 825, Los Angeles Art Association, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069, juried by William Escalera and Francisco George.

"$100 Art Sale", haleARTS S P A C E, Santa Monica, CA. Betsy Enzensberger, curator. 

"Deconstructing Color & Form", a Four Artist Exhibition. Beyond The Lines Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Brittany Davis, director.

"Ocean Exhibition" Beyond The Lines Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Brittany Davis, director.

2016 

"Spectrum Gestalt 3", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A map | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.

"Contemporary Art Show", Conception, LA Mother, Hollywood, CA. Conception events, organizer.

"Live Painting & Auction", Benefit Auction for the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation, Santa Monica, CA. Preston M. Smith (PMS), Gary Charles Visconti, and Jake Hernandez contributing artists. Sharon Jimenez, director.

"Laluzapalooza", La Luz De Jesus, Hollywood, CA. Matt Kennedy, director.

"$100 Art Sale", haleARTS S P A C E, Santa Monica, CA. Betsy Enzensberger, curator. 

2015 

"Spectrum Gestalt 2", BG Gallery at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue | Space G8A map | Santa Monica, CA 90404, Airom Bleicher, Curator.

"Group Exhibition", AD Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA. Amy Delaporte, owner and curator.

"An Evening of Magic, Mystery, & Intrigue", Benefit Auction for the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation, The Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA. Preston M. Smith and Gary Charles Visconti contributing artists. Sharon Jimenez, director.

"You Can Touch But You Can't Look", WIZNU Labs Gallery, Downtown Lost Angeles Arts District, CA. Katya Kan, curator.

"Beyond the Lines", Astroetic Studios, Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Brittany Davis, curator.

"Nu Art", WIZNU Labs Gallery, Downtown Lost Angeles Arts District, CA. Kendra Cryan, curator.

"Group Exhibition", Hud Gallery, Ventura, CA. Yessica Torres, curator.

"Group Show", Cause Gallery, Chinatown Art District, Los Angeles, CA Frank Y.Takaki, curator.

2014 

2014 – "Group Show", 2nd St. Cigar Lounge & Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles, CA Kendra Cryan, Organizer.

Piknic, “PMS Artwork". Solo Show. Playa Vista, CA. Josue Soriano, Coordinator. 

2012/13

Celebrity Veteran's Day event, “Group Show/Fundraiser", Camarillo CA Tracy Saunders, Organizer.

Group Show/Competition, “Trees", Dysonna City Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Donna Dyson, Director.

Raw Artists, “Solstice", Key Club, Hollywood, CA. Kaila Yu, Organizer.

L'art Pour L'art, “The Painted Dot", Think Tank Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Baha Danesh, Organizer.

L'art Pour L'art, “Art Industry Mixer", Holding Co. Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Baha Danesh, Organizer.

2011

The Hive Gallery, “Group Show", Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Romina Gonzalez, Director.

SubSpace Art, “Ground Control". Culver City, CA. Randi Kristopher Kreeft, Director.

Piknic, “Selected Works", Playa Vista, CA. Kelly Potter, Organizer.

2010

“Chocolate and Art" group show. Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Danilo Santos, Director.

(2009-2010) One Year Hiatus to work on PMS Animation Project 

2009

2009 - Barack Obama Inauguration, “Inaugural Purple Ball", 12 original “Obama" paintings commissioned for and featured at event and distributed to varies celebrities such as Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Amy Brenneman, Il Divo, and more. January 20th, 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel, Washington D.C.. Foad Afshari and Asal Masomi, Organizers.

The Loft, “Pancakes and Booze" art show. Culver City, CA. Tom Kirlin, Director.

2008

The Key Club, “Fundraiser/Art Show" for the David Lynch Foundation. Hollywood, CA. David Lynch and Preston Smith donating artists. Joshua Reed and Erin Skipper organizers.

Koo's Gallery, “Group Show" - Long Beach, CA. Nick Wildermuth, Director. 

Colachi Arts, “Group Show" - Manitou Springs, CO. Tina Siegfried, Director.

Celestial Opera Company, “Solo Show", for opening of Giulio Cesare. Pasadena, CA. Michelle McWilliams, Curator

Celestial Opera Company, “Solo Show", for opening of The Bartered Bride. Pasadena, CA. Michelle McWilliams, Curator.

2007

jFERRARI Gallery, “Anniversary Group Show" - Atwater Village, CA. Jazmin Ferrari, Director. 

Infusion Gallery, “Group Show" - Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Jill and Dover Abrams, Directors.

Celestial Opera Company, “Solo Show", for opening of Beethoven's Fidelio. Pasadena, CA. Michelle McWilliams, Curator. 

The Cherryl Alan Design Group, “Featured Artist" - Beverly Hills, CA. Cherryl Alan, Neil Zaniboni, Owners. 

2006

Colachi Arts, “PMS Artwork" - Solo Show. Manitou Springs, CO. Tina Siegfried, Director.

Colachi Arts, “Group Show" - Manitou Springs, CO. Tina Siegfried, Director. 

Gallery Noir, “Group Show #2" - Los Angeles, CA. Anabella Ricardo, RPG, Director. 

Gallery Noir, “Group Show" - Los Angeles, CA. Anabella Ricardo, RPG, Director. 

ADM Project Gallery, Group Exhibition for Los Angeles Journal - Hollywood, CA. Coordinated by Neil Segura. 

2005

NoHo Gallery LA, “American Roots" - North Hollywood, CA. Curated by Daniel DeBevoise. 

The J/R Gallery, “The Colors of J/R III" - Manhattan Beach, CA. Curated by Jason Patrick.

The J/R Gallery, “The Colors of J/R II" - Manhattan Beach, CA. Curated by Jason Patrick.

2004

Gallery 5350, “Holiday Show" - North Hollywood, CA. Curated by Leisa Wilcox and Randy Wilcox.
 

Professional/Teaching Experience:

2001-02 - Assistant Teacher to Artist/Professor Robert Gilmore. Focus on Painting and Drawing classes. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.

Artistic Influences:

Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Jean Michel Basquiat, Willem De Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, Mark Ryden, Lori Earley, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Charles Bukowski, etc.