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Arts & Entertainment

Peachtree Corners Man Finally Following His Dream

Larry Smith, a former advertising executive turned artist, is pursuing his true passion.

On entering Larry and Pam Smith’s Peachtree Corners home I was greeted by lovely artwork, a friendly dog and a sense of home. Moving to the back of the house I was surprised to find instead of a small office, a beautiful, sunlit art studio; the perfect place to paint. 

Smith, a graphic designer and owner of a successful advertising agency for 23 years, always had painting in the back of his mind. His wife Pam had encouraged him to paint since early in their marriage.

He agreed that when the last of their three children left for college he would begin. So for Christmas of that year Pam presented him with an easel, canvases and paints. That was the start of something good.

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True to his word, Smith began to paint on a weekends only basis and by the end of that year had completed 12 canvases. Around the same time a friend suggested he show some of his paintings at a Berkeley Lake art show. As a result of the show, some commissioned artwork and a desire to enjoy and employ the creativity of painting, Smith began to move from the advertising business and into the business of being full time artist.

With impressionism his favorite style and oils his favorite medium, Smith not only enjoys painting but teaching others to do the same. About 30 people take classes each week and Smith says that 90 percent of them have never painted before. He feels energized by teaching and is convinced that, “Everyone can learn to paint.” If I were taking a painting class I’d definitely want my instructor to feel that way. 

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Smith’s wife Pam, an artist herself, decided to take his classes when he began teaching. She is now an accomplished and commissioned portrait painter. 

Traveling together, the Smith’s have enjoyed the various places their art shows have taken them. While on these trips he take lots of photos on which to base his paintings. “People like to buy paintings of the places they love.”, Smith explains.

The first year of travel took the Smiths to five art shows, the second year 20, and for the past four years they have shown their work at 32 shows each year. Even with each show being a huge undertaking, they both truly seem to love it. 

A trip to their studio is fun, as is a trip to both of their websites, where you can view original works and prints and get information on commissioned work and classes. All of Smith’s prints fit standard size frames.

For more information go to www.artistlarrysmith.com and www.artistpamsmith.com.

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