
Teresa Smith captures the soul of the west coast landscape in her contemplative oil paintings. Teresa gathers impressions of the land around her remote island home on horseback rides accompanied by her Irish wolfhound. Her works capture the light coming through the trees, a richness of color, and the interconnectedness of nature. Her subjects emerge through lyrical brushwork, sometimes with light streaming as if through a stained glass window. Her major influences are Georgia O’Keeffe, Emily Carr, and the Canadian Group of Seven, the latter of whom pioneered a distinctive style defined by a direct connection with nature. In addition to painting, Teresa is a master gardener, and she grows food year-round in her garden and volunteers in the community to educate and diagnose plant problems. She works from her studio on the top floor of a barn overlooking the pond and trees, where deer walk by and ducks swim. According to Teresa, "much of today’s art is based on concept. That is, the artist has an idea, then uses their art to educate and inform. I do contemplative painting, which is different. For me, it is allowing the painting to unfold in a contemplative or meditative way."
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About The Artist
Artist Statement
I received my first set of oils when I was 12, and painted in oils for several years before moving to watercolors. I taught classes and took many instructions over the years. Then in 2009, I started back with oils and decided to finish my art degree at Naropa University. It is a contemplative university and was perfect for me. I had art mentors at that time as well. They took me deeper into the contemplative art making. Much of today’s art is based on concept. That is, the artist has an idea, then uses their art to educate and inform. I do contemplative painting which is different. For me, it is allowing the painting to unfold in a contemplative or meditative way. I have studied the work of Emily Carr and The Canadian Group of Seven extensively; their reaching for and painting the spirit in nature; a love of ecology and wilderness. I continue to read and learn from the masters and push my work to the next level.
Artist Background
Naropa University
Bachelor of Arts, 2013
Hear What Collectors Say About Teresa's Work
Hello Kathy, thanks so much for your comment. I appreciate that. And by the way, I lived in Colorado for 13 years. Love the high country. As long as there are lakes and trees I am happy.
Hi Teresa, I just purchased your "Lake in the Woods" because while it is a lake in Canada, the painting captures so much of what I love about Colorado. You evoke for me the emotions I feel when in the high country. I had a hard time choosing among so many of your wonderful works. Kathy C.