Meet Dallas Smith, the English Riviera’s South African painter
‘My life and work are intertwined’, says South African artist Dallas Smith, who has recently swapped the Knysna coast for the beautiful beaches of Devon.
Dallas Smith (born 1969) might be an old hat at painting, but he is brand spanking new to the shores of Devon, having freshly disembarked a mere five months ago. His poetic description of his life thus far goes something like this: “The African sky – turbulent, exhilarating and calm… my birthplace and home for 44 years, from the streets of Johannesburg to the heart of the Caprivi where wild elephants still have freedom to roam. My boot camp and weighing scale for the art of life and simplicity”.
Growing up in South Africa with an artist father, Dallas was surrounded by art from a young age and soon would make a full-time living out of being a painter himself. A memorable highlight was the sale of one of his paintings on auction at Christie’s, London. Throughout his career the market for his work continued to expand across the globe with clientele from afar visiting his studio in the scenic seaside town of Knysna. Now seeking middle ground with his British ancestry (his grandfather hailed from England), Dallas has relocated with his family to a similar setting by the sea, The English Riviera.
His large canvas paintings are executed in acrylic and vary in subject ranging from yachts and birds to figurative beach scenes. Described as clean, crisp and peaceful, his work is easy on the eye yet with a distinctively striking effect. Dallas draws his inspiration from a quiet inner appreciation of life and outwardly from the nature that surrounds him. As for human inspiration, that would be attributed to the 19th century artist Albert Moore: “I have been drawn to him for his use of colour and composition, revealing to me his deep understanding of harmony in tones. I just love the grace which comes across in his work”.
Cotton canvas, pigments and brushes are the tools he uses to reflect his zeal for inner balance with simplicity at its core.
“I have peeled off the elaborate drapery on my work, and substituted detail for untainted colours, but my hope is that the essence of the art would reveal the same grace and harmony as Albert Moore”. This really sums up the humble, talented man.
by Linda Scott Smith
