Summary
My passion for the natural world, wildlife, and the environment often direct my mixed media paintings, digital work and illustration projects. I am a freelance artist and illustrator, as well as a fine artist creating original paintings for collectors.
My experience includes being privileged to work with The David Suzuki Foundation, Parks Canada, and other clients; creating art for licensing across North America in major outlets; as well as partnering with private clients on smaller projects,
Working towards the visual development field in film and animation. Also, working with the 212 Creative Network on writing and film development.
I am also beginning to work in short-form film, creating youtube content that will be released later in the year. These projects dove-tail with a love of the 'maker movement' and a lot of time spent in my workshop building large-scale puppets, exploring kinetics, and aggressively upcycling to create one-of-a-kind kinetic pieces.
About Me ~
My life on the west coast keeps me close to the environment, a step away from the ocean and mountains. I use my art to express my connection to the natural world, bring wildlife into other people’s lives, and also comment on the environmental situation that we now find ourselves in.
I’m the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, and started life on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean where groceries were delivered by helicopter and trips to town meant riding with the Coast Guard. I’m still an island girl, just on a bigger island now, off the coast of BC Canada.
As a creative, I feel most inspired when I’m mixing mediums and experimenting with something new. Using traditional materials with digital paint and everything in between. My studio comes equipped with safety supplies -just in case- however, my artwork doesn’t get a safety net. If I push a piece too far I’ll scrap the whole thing and begin again, often many times over. I try to create without fear, but of course, that doesn’t always work - and really it’s the fear that makes it exciting, right?
You can see my updated fine art, illustrations, portfolios, and current projects on my website :
www.heycrystalsmith.com
Skills
Software proficiency
