Visiting the City
Ford Smith made a subject matter detour this month as he immerses himself into city life. Which city? Any city, really, as these scenes are created solely in his mind using his near-photographic memory to recall urban elements, and then abstract, order and conceive a fantastical metropolitan view unlike any other. A skyscraper from Atlanta, a borough from New York, a building from London... a Ford Smith cityscape is both nostalgic and awe-inspiring.
At first, you might believe that a cityscape is the exact opposite of Ford's landscapes, with nature playing the starring role. But actually, there are many similarities that he's reveling in with these metropolitan original paintings. Light, reflections, geometry and celestial skies... all descriptions of trademark Ford Smith's distinctive style of landscape interpretations. You know it's Ford Smith as his style resonates clearly within each of these new paintings. As one collector described, "Only Ford Smith could make a city look organic".
This waterfront scene he's working on here received this interpretation from an admiring collector, "I imagine it to be a bustling city in the thirties. I see Gary Cooper, a mogul, lean, tall and impeccably suited in grey wool, casually strolling through the meandering streets that weave the city, tightly together with no sight of any misdeeds. Crime free. He's on top of the world - a world delightfully dominated by this city called Ford."
I don't think that I could do any better with a description of this viewing experience.
Stay tuned to see more of this fresh and exciting urban theme from Ford as he continues to explore and stretch his imagination and talent. He'll never abandon his classic landscape subject matter and series, but these brief departures keep him curious, exploring and expanding his talent. When he returns to landscapes, he often has new revelations or techniques inspired by these creative journeys.
These paintings are not yet finished, but for more information--or first option on the completed painting--please contact us directly: info@fordsmithfineart.com
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