Tim Smith

By Ava Saric

Growing up in nearby Northfield with a passion for baseball and the hobby of art itself, one thing was always consistent in the life of contemporary artist Tim Smith. He always had the ambition to improve. Attending college at Arcadia University and specializing in education, Tim’s path toward teaching seemed inevitable, but his love for art never faded.

Rounding his eighth year with the Upper Township School District, Tim began to acknowledge himself as a true artist with the potential of molding his talents into a career. Although uncertain of his future success, he decided to take a leap of faith and follow his forever dream of art full time.

“In 2015, I had an injury where my mobility was very limited,” Tim explained. “I needed an outlet and a space to keep working, so for the first time since high school, I began to draw.

“I felt like it had filled a void in me that I didn’t even know was there, where I could always be working toward something bigger than myself.”

Prior to this career change, Tim admitted that he never considered himself an “artist” and deemed his abilities a creative instinct.

“From an early age, creating was a part of my life,” he said. “I loved watching and learning from my brother and uncle, as they were always great artists. But to me, the idea of calling myself a professional was a little presumptuous.

“There were individuals who dedicated their lives to studying and practicing art, where I just created for enjoyment,” Tim continued. “Over time, I realized that I was always an artist, and as soon as I believed this, the world would too.”

With this mindset, Tim began revisiting his style in the form of black and white portraits, adding color where he could and learning the true depths of his talents. Suddenly, unique sketches of animals and athletes turned into large paintings of breathtaking landscapes, where Tim continuously worked to push the envelope of his artistry.

“I became obsessed once I started bringing more vibrant tones into my work,” he said. “When I create I move around a lot, because I want people to see the action and emotions that go into it. How I make others feel with my art is really important to me.”

Enjoying everything he creates, there is no personal favorite, but simply appreciation for the pieces that present meaning and movement. More recently, Tim has loved incorporating aspects of life that he connects with most, such as beachscapes and ocean life. The shore has always been a special place for Tim, as he is currently devoting most of his work to displaying the beauty of this experience.

Aside from the inspiration of art itself, Tim finds motivation in knowing that there will always be room for improvement.

“I continuously aim to better myself, personally and professionally, and art gives me the platform to do so,” he reflected. “With that, being able to create something that will have an impact long after I am gone has always been something that keeps me excited about what I do.

“I want my work to touch the hearts of as many people as possible.”

Tim is determined to take his dream to the next level, with hopes to display his artwork at additional galleries, restaurants and shows. But no matter how successful he becomes, his roots will always run deep. To make sure, Tim currently offers art lessons at his studio in Upper Township with students from kindergarten through high school, where he shares his knowledge, passion and love for art.

As Tim is extremely proud of how his company continues to grow, he acknowledges that this success did not come without risk.

“When making my decision to leave teaching,” Tim explained, “I knew that providing for my family would look a little different. But I wanted to show my children that you should never do something for a paycheck and always do what makes you happy.

“Art has opened a whole new world of opportunities for me,” Tim continued, “and I could not be more excited to see what’s next.”

To learn more about Tim Smith and take a peek at his artwork, check out his socials below, where you can keep tabs on his upcoming events, merchandise and more.

Instagram: @timsmithart

Facebook: @theartworkoftimsmith

Tik Tok: @timsmithart

Website: www.theartworkoftimsmith.com.