A short bio and videos my husband creates while I paint……
Recent awards……and a way to message me!
Meet Christina Smith
Each piece begins with curiosity. When a particular creature catches my attention, I study its structure and learn about its habits, diet, and environment. Then I head into the woods around my home to gather bits of branches, leaves, nuts, and berries — whatever will help create an honest, natural setting. This slow process is satisfying to me and how I become familiar and comfortable with the creature I want to portray. An image begins to form in my head and, like puzzle pieces, I juggle shapes and colors until they settle into what I think I’m going to do. The plan is always flexible.
The birds are painted in gouache which is an opaque watercolor. I like the strong color it gives me and the ability to layer light over dark. Gouache flows easily from tiny brushes so I can accomplish the delicate lines of feathers, eyes and beaks. The softness of colored pencil keeps the setting quiet leaving the viewers initial focus on my subject. My compositions use open empty space to create both stillness and balance.
I’ve been nearsighted all my life and I’m sure that has shaped my love of detail. As a child, distance was a blur so close-up became my world. It’s still the small things that fascinate me and precise detail makes me happy!
My intention is to honor nature, not simply to illustrate it. To show nature’s beauty and resilience and gently remind you to slow down and notice the abundant and amazing life around you.
My thoughts about what might be in your backyard. Take some time to look closely!
Mostly birds - but always nature.
BIOGRAPHY AND RECENT AWARDS
Christina Smith is a nationally exhibiting nature artist based in Fayetteville, Arkansas and her work reflects a lifelong devotion to observing and interpreting native bird life. Working in gouache and colored pencil she renders her subjects with quiet presence, refined draftsmanship, and emotional warmth. Drawing inspiration from the woods surrounding her home, each work begins with research and study resulting in compositions that are restrained, intentional and quietly powerful.
She is self-taught and claims she just didn’t give up. Little by little, doors opened and a hobby became a career. Conquering the fear of being lost, she traveled solo cross country thousands of miles long before there was a GPS to help. The adventures and mishaps made an interesting life and a lot of good stories.
Smith has exhibited professionally since 1977 at nationally recognized fine art festivals across the United States. Her original works are held in private collections nationwide.
The Woodlands, Texas - Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, 2020 Featured Artist
Pensacola, Florida - Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival,
2025, 2019 and 2018 Award of Distinction, 2024 Sponsor’s Award, 2021 & 2015 Judges Award, 2016 & 2013 Award of Honor
Peninsula, Ohio - Boston Mills Art Fest
2019 Honorable Mention, 2018 Best in Category
Orange Beach, Alabama - Festival of the Arts
2019 Best of Show
Tallahassee, Florida - Chain of Parks Art Festival
2018 Best of Show
Fairhope, Alabama - Eastern Shore Art Festival
2023 Second Place, 2019 Merit Award, 2018 Foundation Award, 2014 Award of Distinction, 2012 Best of Show, 2011 Award of Distinction
Cincinnati, Ohio - Summerfair
2023 & 2022 Honorable Mention, 2019 & 2018 Second Place Drawing
St Louis, Missouri - The Art Fair at Queeny Park
2023 Two Dimensional Award of Excellence, 2019 Award of Mastery 2D, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Award of Excellence,
Minneapolis, Minnesota - The Uptown Arts Festival
2017 Best of Show Mixed Media, 2013 Top 10% Award
Jupiter, Florida - ArtiGra Fine Arts Festival
2016 First Place
Covington, Louisiana - Three Rivers Art Fest
2024 Best of Show, 2022 & 2016 Award of Distinction, 2010 Best of Two Dimensional
Mt Gretna, Pennsylvania - Mt Gretna Outdoor Art Show
2015 Judge’s Choice
Ft Myers, Florida - ArtFest Fort Myers
2014 & 2011 Award of Distinction, 2012 First Place Two Dimensional