“My paintings function as a document of memory, imagination, the painting process and reveal my fascination with the language of shape, color and the illusion of space.  The images evolve in layers our of various states.  As forms coalesce, I guide the picture towards an abstracted sense of place.  the idea of landscape dominates these images, but the perspective or view is not necessarily fixed.  they are open to interpretation.”  Artist Statement, March 2006

“Fresh and challenging aptly describes Brian Smith.  Over the past few years, Smith’s landscapes have followed a course from expressionist to abstract expressionist to pure abstraction.  It’s been a natural progression for Smith, and a wise one.  Smith allows his innate sense of movement and color to seize the reigns.  Thick, sweeping brush strokes flurry about on the canvas; occasional paint drips remain, dried and untouched, adding to the works textural depth; Smith’s wonderful palette of bright golds, deep reds and vibrant greens lives up to the standards of his previous work.  Smith has the capability to keep things in order, to present images in a manner that we find familiar and identifiable.  (He) has taken the next step – that of creating a shared experience through the abstract conveyance of emotion and feeling.”        
Excerpt from “Revitalizing The Abstract”, by Jeff Daniels, St. Louis Post Dispatch,  June 5, 1997.

EDUCATION
1989                M.F.A., Painting, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1984                B.F.A., Painting, Boston University, Boston, MA

SELECTED RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2006                Brian D. Smith: New Paintings, R Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis
2005                Open Space: The Art of Landscape, Art St. Louis
                        Surfaces: Within and Without, Art St. Louis
2004                Ovals, Meramec Community College, St. Louis, MO
                        Chesterfield Arts, Chesterfield, MO
                        Mapping Memory, Art St. Louis
2003                Brian D. Smith: New Paintings, R. Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis
                        53rd Annual Quad-State Juried Exhibition, Quincy, IL
                        Primordial I: Water, Art St. Louis, Juried Exhibition
2002                Clear Color: Brian D. Smith, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL
2001                Brian D. Smith: New Work, R. Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis
                        New Works on Paper, Juried Exhibition, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
                        51st Annual Quad-State Juried Exhibition, The Quincy Arts Center, Quincy, IL
                        Provenance Art Center, Louisiana, MO
2000                Art St. Louis XVI, Award of Excellence Recipient
                        Landscape Invitational, Des Lee Gallery, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
1999                River Market Regional Exhibition, The Kansas City Artists Coalition, MO
                        Art St. Louis XV, Award of Excellence Recipient
1998                Landscape Invitational, Meramec Community College, St. Louis, MO
1996                Maryville University, St. Louis, MO
1995                The National Art Competition, Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, MO
1994                Galex 28 Natl. Juried Competition, Galesburg Civic Art Center, IL, Merit Award
1993                Marysville Masterpiece Art Competition, KS,  Merit Award Recipient
1992                Urban and Rural Landscapes, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
                        Art St. Louis VIII, Honor Award Recipient