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Dennis K. Smith Figurative Paintings

Canadian, b. 1949

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.

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Artist: Dennis K. Smith
"Solo Trumpet" Male, Instrument, Colors, Figurative
By Dennis K. Smith
Located in Detroit, MI
"Trumpet Soloist" places the viewer in the midst of what might be a jazz festival and calls forth music we've all snapped our fingers to. The musician is in the midst of belting it o...
Category

1990s Contemporary Dennis K. Smith Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"The Weary Blues" Acrylic Painting of Interior w/Patrons and Music Colorful
By Dennis K. Smith
Located in Detroit, MI
"The Weary Blues" depicts the interior scene of a Blues bar late at night with a number of patrons socializing, drinking and listening to music. The scene is dramatically rendered in...
Category

2010s Contemporary Dennis K. Smith Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"I See Color" Figurative Acrylic on Canvas Looking Out Window Black White Color
By Dennis K. Smith
Located in Detroit, MI
"I See Color" is a dramatic psychological study of personal discovery painted in black and white with the face reflected on a window painted in color. Dennis states: It was a time wh...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Dennis K. Smith Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

"Drummer in Red" Lone Figure, Male Drummer, Instrument, Colors, Acrylic
By Dennis K. Smith
Located in Detroit, MI
"Drummer in Red" is a vibrant painting both in the application of color, and the abstract movement of the background. Dennis has captured the musician in the midst of what might be a...
Category

1990s Contemporary Dennis K. Smith Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

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Dennis K. Smith figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Dennis K. Smith figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Dennis K. Smith in acrylic paint, canvas, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1990s and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Dennis K. Smith figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Andrew Lui, Anick Langelier, and Fiona Ackerman. Dennis K. Smith figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,300 and tops out at $3,850, while the average work can sell for $2,500.

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