Lyla Smith, Drawings

June 4 – June 30, 2005

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I started figure drawing about twenty years ago at Basic Inquiry to learn how to include people in paintings. The process became so beguiling–soon drawing the human form became the main thing.

My sister says she can’t remember me not drawing. My entire art education has been simply doing it. I’ve loved Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and others from the originals in galleries and museums. Once spent a couple of months at a weekly evening course at Basic Inquiry learning interesting ways ways of seeing from Leslie Poole. That’s it for instruction.

Shows include ArtAgainstRacism, Images & Objects, a juried group show at the downtown library, Artropolis, Helen Pitt Gallery, numerous solo shows and group shows at Basic Inquiry and a few other sites; solo shows at Higher Grounds, Melriches, the Libra Room and others. Did the original cover illustration for the book ‘Daughters of Copperwoman’. Designed numerous event posters and t-shirts for fundraisers including GivePeaceADance, Amigos de Cuba, Salvaide and FastAid (for Somalia).

Drawing has informed my paintings, printmaking and photography.

Reminding myself to “draw what you see, not what you think you see” has become a mildly mantric approach to my process of image making. Once mastering tricks of visual illusion, then slipping away from reality can become an informed choice.

Picasso said art is a lie designed to tell the truth.

Steinem said any women who is not a feminist is a masochist.

W.M. Burroughs said the trouble with utopians is they expect victory without a battle.

I’m neither a masochist nor a utopian, but am working toward becoming a more accomplished liar.

Bottom line is: I really like making pictures.

~Lyla Smith~