Barn at Cove Oregon

"The foundation of all my paintings is the rural experience, because that is who I am," Smith says. "Self-reliance, self-respect and self-worth emerge from the agricultural experience." These aspects of Smith's life became the catalyst for his distinctive style.

"I strive for simplicity, seek imaginative colors and use bold forms," he states. "Barn at Cove Oregon" is a perfect example of the iconic rural vistas and heroic figures for which he is renowned. "Of the main themes I deal with, productivity and self-sufficiency seem to recur. I attempt to portray something of the struggles and triumps of those who work with a sometimes friendly, sometimes harsh land."