All About Grant

As a child most of the male figures in my life spoke about and loved the game of baseball. This became a language and way of communication when other attempts failed. They told me fascinating tales of players far preceding my birth.  I was given books focusing on the 19th and early 20th century history of the game.  As adults we see many unsettling and bizarre things. I use early 20th century baseball players to explore these dark subjects and the human condition. I play with the push and pull of frivolity vs. brutality, placing a new lens on a game of my youth. I want to get back to those simple times, fantastical tales, blue skies, and fresh green grass. 

These paintings place the hero on a pedestal, only to kick it out from under them at the same time. They become ordinary in their misfortune, allowing the viewer a more realistic bond. I like the idea of a hybrid of Norman Rockwell, David Lynch and Franz Kafka.

Artists that I admire include Lucien Freud, Gerhard Richter, Ed Keinholz, and Neo Rauch to name only a few.

About the 9

I made reference to the number 9 originally because of Ted Williams. As I grew older I sensed added meaning in the number, seeing it as the highest number before additional digits (baggage) are added.

In this sense the number is purity, and innocence.

— Grant D. Smith

RESUME

EDUCATION

B.F.A. Visual Art Studies, University of North Texas, 2002
B.F.A. Drawing and Painting, University of North Texas, 2002

EXHIBITIONS

  • Good Sports Group Show. The Public Trust. Dallas, TX 11-23-19 -1-18-20

  • Bonnie & Clyde 85th Anniversary Art Show. Shotgun Gallery. Dallas, TX 5/23/19- 7/1/19

  • Draw It Show, Curious Garden Dallas, TX. 4/6/19- 5/6/19

  • Lady Of the Lake Exhibit, Curious Garden Dallas, TX. Oct. 20th- Nov. 15th 2018

  • The National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame, Commack, NY: 
    "32 @ 75," Art of Sandy Koufax, October, 2010
    Cincinnati Public Library, January, 2008
    Dallas Public Library, February, 2008
    Juror, Artists at Work Exhibit, North Richland Hills TX: August 17, 2007
    Trinity River Show, The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas TX: Aug. 5 - Sept.1, 2006
    Revolution Gallery, Dallas TX: July 29 - Aug. 15, 2006

  • “Top of the 9th: The Art of Baseball,” 
    George Krevsky Gallery, San Fransisco, CA: March 30 - April 29, 2006
    Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville KY, Willie Mays traveling show: January - February 2006
    Mad River Post, Feb. 18, 2005, Dallas TX

  • “Revolution 9,” 
    One person show, SouthSide on Lamar, Dallas TX,  Dec. 16 - 26, 2004. 
    Opening Reception Dec. 18, 7 - 9 p.m.
    Best of Los Angeles Party (featured artist) Aug. 6, 2004

  • “Alertness: What Color Are You?” 
    The McKinney Avenue Contemporary, July 17-Aug. 15, 2004

  • “The Summer Show/Critic's Choice,” 

  • Dallas Center for Contemporary Art, June 25-Aug. 14, 2004.

  • “Art of the Game,” 
    George Krevsky Gallery, San Francisco CA: April 8-May 1, 2004

  • “Members on View,” 
    Dallas Center For Contemporary Art, Dallas TX: June 13-Aug. 2, 2003
    Mockingbird Station, Dallas TX: June 13-15, 2003
    Dallas Opera House, Dallas TX: Feb. 21-March 4, 2003
    Mockingbird Station, Dallas TX: Dec. 13-15, 2002
    500X Gallery Open Show, Dallas TX: May 23-June 18, 2002
    Art Connection Exhibition, Irving Arts Center, Irving TX: May 25-July 6,2002
    UNT Senior Show, Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton TX: May 3-8, 2002
    Gridlock: 17 Emerging Artists, Experimental Gallery, Dallas TX: Dec. 1-8, 2001
    Walls in Water, Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton TX: Nov. 26-30, 2001
    PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA: Feb. 2001 to Dec. 2002
    The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington TX: Oct. 2000 to Dec. 2002
    Minute Maid Field, Houston TX: Oct. 2000 to Dec. 2002

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate, November 2010
Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate, October 2010
Chicago Baseball Museum Newsletter, Volume 2007, Issue 4, Nov. 28, 2007
San Antonio Express News, October 2007 (Sec. D, p.2, King) 
Total Texas Baseball, May 2006
D Magazine, September 2005
Dallas Business News, August 3, 2005
Houston Chronicle, August 2, 2005
North Texas Insider, August 2005
Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Oct. 31, 2004 (Sec. D, p.6, Robinson)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 15, 2003 (Sec. A, p.24, Buck)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 17, 2003 (Sec. D, p.5, Mendez)
DFW Sports Weekly, April 23-May 6, 2003 (p. 10, Martinez)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 4, 2002 (Sec. C, p.14, Parker)

SELECTED TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEWS

NBC5 KXAS-TV Dallas, TX June 1, 2008
NBC 5, KXAS-TV, Dallas, TX: April 2, 2006
92.3 Extreme Radio, Cleveland, OH: August 3, 2005
FMQB Radio, NJ: August 2, 2005
Comcast Television, Arlington, TX: interview July 2005
88.1 FM, Denton, TX: interview aired Oct. 15-19, 2001
Ch. 22, Denton, TX: same interview with video

SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONSTexas Rangers Baseball Team

Whoopi Goldberg
Johnny Damon (Red Sox, Yankees)
Joe and Molly Camp
David Wells ( New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox)
Marty Lurie (Oakland A's)
Brook Fordyce (Orioles, Mets)
David Clyde (Texas Rangers)
Mike Cramer (former Texas Rangers President)
Mark Jordan
Dr. Nick Depace
Dr. Al Distefano
Our Lady Peace
Paul Rogers
Keith Olbermann
Dick Allen (Phillies, White-Sox)

Chicago Baseball Museum

Texas Rangers Baseball Club

Jim Daniel