Audrey Smith

Audrey Smith is a figurative artist. She works in acrylic and charcoal, most frequently on birch panel. Her brushstrokes are unapologetically visceral and expressive.

Audrey Smith is a figurative artist. She works in acrylic and charcoal, most frequently on birch panel. Her brushstrokes are   unapologetically visceral and expressive. After graduating from Concordia University (Montréal, Quebec), Audrey pursued a career in graphic design. Her education continued on a workshop/class/program basis through The Academy of Realist Art (Toronto), The Toronto School of Arts, The Haliburton College of the Arts (Peterborough) and, most recently, the DVSA Advanced Studio Program. Her career transitioned into a professional studio practice in 2011. Since then, Audrey has had solo shows and been in numerous juried group shows. She now has works in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. She now has works in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. She is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists.

SOLO SHOWS – JURIED GROUP SHOWS
2022
Artist Project 2022, Toronto
2019
Viva Vida Art Gallery, Society of Canadian Artists elected members’ exhibition, Pointe Claire, Quebec
J B Aird Gallery, “Paint2019”, Toronto, Ontario
Westland Gallery, London, Ontario, curated group show
Noodle Gallery, Alton, Ontario, featured artist, “These Boots Were Made for Walking (but sometimes you were sitting)”
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto
Blue Crow Gallery, Toronto
Arta Gallery, “Appetites”, Toronto (Distillery District)
Propeller Gallery, “of People and Pavement”, Toronto, solo exhibition
Propeller Gallery, “Salon 13”, Toronto
2018
Figureworks 2018, Ottawa, finalist
DVSA, “Each. Distinct.”, Dundas
Propeller Gallery, “Cited”, Toronto
Propeller Gallery, “A Portrait Gallery”, Toronto
Propeller Gallery, “Waking The Dream”, Toronto
Colborne Art Gallery, 6th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Colborne
Propeller Gallery, “Red Impulse”, Toronto

AWARDS
2018 FigureWorks, Ottawa, Finalist
2016 FigureWorks, Ottawa, Finalist
2014 Colborne Art Gallery, 2nd Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Colborne, Juror’s Choice Award
2013 Carrousel du Louvre International Art Exhibition, Paris, France; Award Finalist
2012 Beaux-Arts Brampton, 5th Annual Open Juried Show, honourable mention

“As a figurative painter, my art explores the essence of people. I believe that there is no limit to how we manifest our inner being in time and space. I see a world of character in something as complex as body language, gesture and interactions or as simple as a well-worn pair of boots. My passion is to capture a crystal sliver of time through photography, a fragment that is definitive. I then express the chosen image through paint and charcoal. I hope that within the final painting you find a sense of what lies between the layers of the paint, a truth that is yours, perhaps a moment that you’ve seen or experienced.

My painting style is visceral, expressive. What begins with a strictly defined intent, composition and colour scheme is rarely visible in the finished piece. Gentle, coaxing chaos would best describe my process. Layers of paint partially cover sketches that are reworked, redrawn, rethought. You’ll often find text, poetry between the layers, though the content remains a mystery. Because of this layering, composing and decomposing – a demolition in progress – I’ll most frequently work on wood panel.

Ultimately, I hope that through leaving visible many of the elements in the rendering of the painting, I am able to share the experience of creating. I leave the rest to you!”

Audrey Smith