Bernice M. Smith

It has always felt natural to work with my hands, mind and heart. I feel settled and present when I have produced something and even more so when it is part of a larger statement. The topics have changed over the years because I have fallen in love with different subjects, ideas and techniques. Lately the love of old urban structures and focus on trees against the clouds are of special focus. Realizing early on how lucky I was to find out how beautiful it is to have art as part of my life, in grammar school I knew that the only thing I wanted was to be an artist.  I studied Fine Art at SUNY Buffalo and Buffalo State and Graphic Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I worked in the Graphic and Advertising field throughout my career but all things that I have done are art centered. Acrylics and Photography are my favorites but I have done work in many media. I am a member of the East Aurora Art Society, West Seneca Art Society and the ETJ Gallery. Painting outdoors is a joy so I paint with the WNY Plein Air Painters, Painting for Preservation and East Aurora Plein Air groups whenever I can. I love the company of other artists and draw inspiration from them but do not mind being alone with my art.