We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kerrie Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kerrie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
My creative process is directly linked to my time in nature. Walking daily keeps me optimistic and driven to create. I spend quite a bit of time in my studio and that’s mostly sitting and painting or at my computer. So to keep balance in my life I walk every morning with my dog Milo. I’m fortunate to live close to the beach and More Mesa Preserve which is 340+ acres of open space that continues to inspire and feed my soul. The past 3 years have been dedicated to recording the changing seasons which has culminated in to a 1 year artist in residency at the California Museum of art and nature at the Michele Kuelbs Gallery and then a Solo installation and show Portals & Pathways.at LAAA Gallery 825 Los Angeles CA.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I really like opportunities to create Installations for public spaces. My work is a mix of painting, digital, photographic, poetry and film. My most recent installation Portals & Pathways captures the 4 seasons of More Mesa Preserve. https://youtu.be/FBWHjlUW7Mc?si=rRWry03f-kBDMVLs it has given me an opportunity to share my poetry that I’ve hand printed on diaphanous banners and my photography and paintings of the Flora and fauna. . I originally studied Theater Design at Central Saint Martins School of Art in London UK, and now after years of painting and writing art curricula’s for the Hope School District in Santa Barbara CA I feel like I’ve come full circle as I embark on a new production of Portals & Pathways for the stage.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My Life skills and creative path have come about from my varied life experiences. I’ve worked on Archeological Digs, Dairy Farms, Travelled with IFAW in Africa tracking elephants, worked as a designer in film, theater and television, I’ve been a founder and creative director of a non profit Art Walk for kids/adults, an outreach program for artists with disabilities. I’ve also written grants and art curiculums and been a fund raiser for hospice, schools and many non profits. I’m now the arts council president at the Westmont Ridley-Tree museum of art, Montecito CA and a member of the Western Edge CA, Abstract Arts Collective, SCWCA Southern Californian Women’s Caucus for Art and SB Studio Artists. Being involved in my art community I find very helpful and engaging. An artists studio life can be quite lonely and for me personally it can’t sustain my creative process. My personal mission statement is “through positive self expression the doors of opportunity will open!”
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I think having a strong routine and sticking to it is really helpful. I walk daily then I’m in my studio for at least 3-5 hours on weekdays. I have zoom meetings 1 day a week and go to at least 2 openings a week. My various groups that I belong to also give me a chance to collaborate and exchange ideas. I also curate shows and make studio visits. Im very much immersed in the art community in my home town but also make a point on going to LA regularly to see shows and openings. .
Contact Info:
- Website: KerrieSmithStudio.com
- Instagram: Kerrie_Smith_Artist
- Facebook: Kerrie Smith Studio
- Linkedin: Kerrie Smith Studio
- Youtube: Kerrie Smith @kerriecan
