My art uses baseball as a platform to tell the story of life. Many of the players of yesteryear dealt with issues such as racism, greed, abuse of power, abuse of drugs and alcohol, social learning theory, gender stereotyping, and early death.

In this sense using baseball (America's national pastime) as social commentary makes perfect sense.

All good art comes from personal experience, and childhood. My art is a hybrid of baseball's importance to my youth, and the issues that confront me as an adult.

I use materials such as acrylic and oil paint, tar, crushed pumice, aluminum, bronze, wax, barbed wire, and various other materials to enhance the expressive quality of my work.

Artists that I admire include Robert Rauschenberg, Lucien Freud, Gerhard Richter, James Rosenquist, to name only a few. Literary influences include Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Hunter S. Thompson, Allen Ginsberg.

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 are added.

In this sense the number is purity, and innocence before the baggage of life.

— 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

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

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)
Denton Scramble, December 2001 (p. 12-13, Harrod)
Denton Scramble, March, 2001 (p.16-17, C. Harrod)

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 COLLECTIONS

Texas Rangers Baseball Team
Johnny Damon (New York Yankees)
Jim Daniel
David Wells (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

PHOTOS OF THE ARTIST