In Memoriam Doug Smith (1941 - 2023)

It is with deep reverence that we pause to commemorate the legacy of our beloved artist, Doug Smith (1941 – 2023), who departed from us in December of last year. Doug was not just an artist; he was a visionary who dedicated the latter part of his life to his craft as a painter. His artistry was a reflection of his soul, and it is with great honor that we pay tribute to a life filled with dedication and passion.

Doug's artistic brilliance knew no bounds, and each new season brought eager anticipation for his latest creations. This year, however, marks the first time we will not receive a fresh shipment of his work, serving as a poignant reminder of his absence. Unwrapping each piece was always a delight, and we treasured them all, unaware that the last batch we received shortly before his passing would be his final gift to us.

His paintings reminded us of simpler times, capturing the essence of the American landscape with unparalleled brilliance. His art found homes all over the United States and became a part of the permanent collections at the Rockwell Museum and the Booth Western Art Museum.

VIEW AVAILABLE WORKS  |  LEARN MORE ABOUT DOUG SMITH

Beyond his artistic talents, Doug was a beacon of kindness and generosity. He touched countless lives with his warmth, wit, and unwavering belief in the power of human connection. His presence lit up any room, and his laughter echoed long after he was gone. As we bid farewell to Doug, we find solace in the beauty he created and the lives he touched. 

Born and raised in San Francisco, Doug was fortunate to have talented, creative parents who recognized his talent early and encouraged him to pursue his art. His mother, an accomplished impressionist painter, exposed him to the wealth of San Francisco’s art exhibitions, introducing him to the masters during their regular visits to the city’s outstanding museums. By age nine, Doug had sold his first oil painting.

As a fine art major, Doug received his first formal artistic instruction at San Francisco City College. He furthered his education at the San Francisco Academy of Art University and participated in his first group exhibition at the city’s Artist Cooperative Gallery at 19. After serving in the U.S. Army, Doug returned to San Francisco, joining a firm as a graphic designer. The company’s relocation to Southern California allowed him to continue his training at the Art Center College of Design and the California Art Institute.

Throughout his successful career in graphic design and art direction, Doug continued to paint, allowing his artistic voice to evolve. In 2000, he transitioned to focusing full-time on his passion for painting. His signature body of work garnered enthusiasm and interest from private collectors worldwide and from museums, including the Rockwell Museum and the Booth Western Art Museum, for their permanent collections.

Doug's compositions, bold techniques, textures, and vibrant colors evoke the traditions of modernist Hans Hofmann’s bold color grids and George Morrison’s dramatic landscapes. Inspired by the abstract aerial landscapes of Richard Diebenkorn and Wayne Thiebaud, Doug's current body of work reflects America’s vast rural landscape.

Doug Smith’s exuberance, boundless optimism, and wistful nostalgia captured the enduring themes of the American West. His work suggested the endless agrarian mosaics and the archetypical homesteads that appear mostly in memory, bridging nature’s randomness and man’s ordered domesticity. His legacy is a testament to the enduring power of art and the vibrant spirit of a remarkable artist and individual.

VIEW AVAILABLE WORKS  |  LEARN MORE ABOUT DOUG SMITH