Here to Stay, Roswell!

by Cristi Smith November 04, 2015

We are never ones to pass up a great opportunity, so when we were presented with a 3-YEAR lease to extend our stay at the new gallery on Canton Street, we simply could not resist. Perhaps we were the shortest extended pop-up gallery ever, but we both love this gallery space, city (which is our neighborhood), and the people in who have responded to Ford's fourth signature gallery with such enthusiasm and support. It was a no-brainer.

The New Ford Smith Gallery's opening reception was incredible by every measure and we're thankful and delighted that so many of our friends, Ford Smith fans and collectors came out to celebrate such a special evening. For many of us, it felt like a reunion.

The Smiths and the Catalfano's with their newest acquisition from Ford.

Ford with Tom and Suzanne Hall as they relax in front of their newest paintings (basically, they acquired the whole wall).

Among the opening night festivities, the response to Ford's new series, The Monochromes" was phenomenal. I'd like to take a moment to share with you the experience of Ford Smith... unplugged.

"Shadow Dancing" 48x36

This pensive suite of landscape paintings is a raw and pared-back approach that involves intense focus on light, shadow, composition and detail. In black and white, Ford expresses a more demure and peaceful nature--yet each painting from the Monochrome Series seems to crackle with a barely suppressed energy and dynamic movement.

"Down Time" 24x48 SOLD

What Ford has done is create a ground-breaking series of paintings that actually transform as you physically move from one side of the painting to another. The viewer actually witnesses a fascinating metamorphosis of light, subject matter and color. The collector experiences more than one painting with this acquisition.

"Moon Rush" 36x48 SOLD

The majority of Monochrome original paintings sold along with a host of Artist Proofs during their debut at the opening reception last week. He has begun another suite of Monochromes and Iridescent paintings this week.

Ford will never abandon color, by the way! He's simply doing what he's always done, which is take a detour and exercise his mind and imagination in innovative ways that surprise even him. In the past it's been subject matter and media. Now it's color. Or mostly the absence of it. It's what great artists do to remain challenged and fresh in their approach to creating serious and inspired art.

So! Back the the New Ford Smith Gallery! We are going to be a showroom gallery that will be open to the public specific days and hours every week, open by appointment any day or time, and whenever we want to open the doors on a beautiful Roswell evening on Canton Street. This glorious gallery will be our base of operations for Ford Smith Fine Art, so my office just got a lot more inspiring!

We will also be hosting many more fabulous Ford Smith events, "Meet and Greets" with the artist, wine-tastings, off-site shows, pop-up shows in other locations to expose more of Atlanta to his radiantly serene and distinctive landscapes. Stay in tune and in touch with us so you don't miss a thing.