Dennis K. Smith

"Solo Trumpet" Male, Instrument, Colors, Figurative

1998

A profound appreciation for life and devout faith in God are immediately discernible in painter Dennis K. Smith’s landscapes, portraits and other works.

Smith, who was born in 1949 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, is known for his expressive brushstrokes and ability to find inspiration for paintings even in the most humble scenes. He works to capture the emotional depth of a subject through painting with the hope of inviting interest that might not have existed before.

“I cannot remember the 1,053rd leaf of the tree, but I will remember the coolness of its shade on that hot summer day,” Smith has said of his work. His distinctive rhythmic brushstrokes, vivid color palettes and visual storytelling furthers that intensity and speaks to his love of music. In The Weary Blues (2013), a melancholy scene from a dimly lit jazz bar comes alive in wonderful detail. Smith also tells these stories through drawing, printmaking, sculpture and playwriting. Apart from his individual practice, Smith is also an active member of the community. He is a full-time art teacher at his LaSalle studio and cofounder and president of The Artists of Colour, a collective of Black artists in the Canadian diaspora. Their exhibition “Journeys” at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum in 2020 explored the Underground Railroad from a Canadian perspective.

Smith dedicated his decades-long career to the pursuit of beauty and honesty. He has exhibited in numerous shows including the Canada–Japan Exchange Print Exhibition held at the Chiba Shimin Gallery in Japan.

Find original Dennis K. Smith art on 1stDibs.