Hello, I’m Kayley.
I paint realism in oils and pastels, mostly from my home studio in Alaska, though sometimes you'll find me painting at live events, with people watching over my shoulder. I love interacting with people while I work, sharing the creative process as a painting comes to life.
I was born in Wyoming, and I've been creating art for as long as I can remember. When my family moved to Alaska, I began taking lessons with a local artist, and oil painting felt like home almost immediately. Pastels came later, becoming a good friend to my oils.
We live in a world full of stories, and art is simply another form of storytelling. Through a painting, we can experience light, emotions, thoughts, adventures, and so much more. Every piece has something to say, and I love that art allows us to experience those stories in ways words sometimes cannot.
I believe there is still beauty in a dark world, and I paint to remind people of that. My faith is at the heart of why I create, and I try to bring a little of that hope into every piece.
Art changes over time, but so does the artist. It's a journey we're all invited to experience, and one that continues to shape both my work and the person I'm becoming.
Kayley Smith