Up Close: Paintings by Gordon Smedt

Feb 19, 2017 to Apr 30, 2017

One look at Gordon Smedt’s large scale contemporary paintings and you’re lost in a glorious, technicolor Wonderland.  He paints everyday objects in a way that transforms the ordinary-- swim goggles, keyboards, mailboxes and more-- into something extraordinary, capturing a silliness and vibrancy that can otherwise be overlooked.  “I want my paintings to arouse happiness, memories, and positive emotions. If someone looks at one of my paintings and smiles, I’ve achieved my goal.”

First Smedt arranges, paints and composes the objects on a small scale, then enlarges them on canvas for greater impact.  Smedt says, “The majority of my subjects are inanimate objects yet I've never considered myself a ‘still-life’ painter. Rather I'm a figurative painter who doesn't necessarily paint humans.”

Gordon Smedt resides in the Los Gatos/Santa Cruz Mountains, and is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. He first studied art at San Jose State University before continuing his education at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where he was twice awarded merit scholarships and earned an honors BFA.  His paintings have shown in distinguished Art Galleries for more than 28 years.

Aqua Queen by Gordon Smedt

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