Feburary 3, 2016 This week in Gay Palm Springs

AdamsArtExpose’
Roy Smith - Award Winning Figure Artist-
Partner - Smith/Vargas Gallery
Egon Schiele was the topic of last weeks
article. He was an emerging Austrian artist
at the turn of the century in early 1900.
Today his work is being revised and recognized
for its unique expressionism. It is
being used in publications and originals are
being collected and exhibited in galleries
and museums. Roy Smith who is being featured
in this weeks article has been inspired
by Egon Schiele’s work.
Roy Smith the other half of Smith-Vargas
Gallery is also an accomplished figure
artist. He indicates that much of his inspiration
is derived from the work of Schiele.
Roys own work was a winning entry in the
Tom of Finland, Erotic Art Contest. This
year Roy is a featured artist in the ART of
MAN. This is an annually published work
on art of the male body. Egon Schiele is
a historically featured artist in this same
issue.
Roy grew up in northern Wisconsin and
attended the University of Minnesota. He
joined the Air Force and was stationed in
Germany. His interest was not in art during
these early years. It was not until his sister
demonstrated her talent with watercolor
that his interest in drawing and painting
sparked.
He has lived and worked in Los Angeles for
several years with his now deceased partner.
He draws nearly everyday of the week
in his studio and at LACMA (Los Angles
County Museum of Art). Roy’s work with
the human figure is executed in a variety of
media, including, pastel, watercolor, acrylic,
ink and pencil. The figures are either
seated or reclining, nude and clothed. The
contours of the figures are expressive and
definitive. Here is where the influence of
Egon Schiele is noted. As you view his
work, the sense of his knowledge of the human
anatomy is appreciated. He includes
detailed design in textiles and furniture
with ink and color, sometimes adding gold
leaf to embellish the details. This contrasts
with the more delicate figures to create the
unique
quality of Roy’s work.
You can view and appreciate Roy Smith’s
work as part of the permanent collection of
the Smith/Vargas Gallery on North Palm
Canyon in Palm Springs.
If you have questions or comments,
contact me at
adamsartexpose@gmail.com
Egon Schiele, “Self Portrait
as Saint Sebastian”
26 Your weekly LGBT Gay Desert Guide. View our Free Digital Version on-line.