top of page
IMG_5666.JPG

About the Artist

Doug Smith, a Utah native, brings over three decades of national design experience to his role as a self-taught painter. His career began in design, profoundly shaping his modern and abstract art, as well as his western impressionism. Doug describes his artistic journey as a fusion of creative disciplines, where design and painting converge.

His work is a dynamic exploration of texture and form, using a variety of mediums. Doug’s encaustic paintings are particularly notable; he describes this medium as "catching fire"—a transformative process involving layers of beeswax, resin, and pigments, each fused with a flame. This approach captures the essence of his creative spirit, blending the ancient with the contemporary. For an in-depth look at his painting techniques, see below.

Academically, Doug holds degrees from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Woodbury University in Los Angeles. His extensive design career spans 22 states and multiple international locales, earning him prestigious accolades including the National Design Award,  The Platinum Circle Award.  Doug has participated in over 20 national gallery shows and leads workshops in Park City, Utah, and Makawao, Hawaii.

Transform Your Space with Timeless  Art

Discover the timeless beauty and intricate craftsmanship of encaustic art, a captivating process that merges ancient techniques with modern aesthetics. Doug Smith’s encaustic pieces are a testament to this rich tradition, born from the collaboration of natural materials and meticulous artistry.

Each work involves up to 20 layers of beeswax, sourced from the humble honeybee, fused with a fiery torch. This process, dating back 60,000 years and used by ancient civilizations from Indonesia to Greece, combines raw beeswax, resin crystals from the West Indies, and pigments from around the world—blue from the Congo, umber and sienna from Italy, and greens from Greece.

Doug’s encaustic art is not only a visual experience but a narrative of the materials and techniques. “I’m always amazed working with these natural materials,” he says, reflecting his deep appreciation for the medium. Encaustic art’s unique ability to be both additive and subtractive creates a dynamic interplay of textures and translucencies, ensuring that each piece is one-of-a-kind.

Headshot.jpg

Where ancient techniques meet modern creative discovery.

Explore Doug Smith’s artwork to see how ancient techniques and modern creativity blend in captivating ways. Discover the layers, textures, and stories in each piece that make his art truly unique.

Acrylics: Modern Texture Mastery

Doug Smith’s acrylic paintings reveal his creative versatility, merging traditional techniques with modern experimentation to create striking, one-of-a-kind artworks.

Complementing his encaustic work, Doug Smith’s acrylic paintings reveal another facet of his artistic ingenuity. In these works, Doug explores a blend of traditional and modern techniques, utilizing handmade washi, rice, and banana papers. His acrylic pieces are a testament to his inventive approach, incorporating techniques learned from encaustic painting such as layering and mark-making.

Doug’s acrylic work is distinguished by its dynamic use of materials and methods. He employs stamping, block printing, and the interplay of opposing mediums to create rich textures and intricate patterns. This innovative process reflects Doug’s deep curiosity and his admiration for both ancient techniques and contemporary artistry, resulting in pieces that are both visually compelling and uniquely expressive

IMG_7517.heic
Doug Smith’s paintings, featured in Utah Style & Design, showcase his exceptional talent and creative fusion of traditional and modern techniques. His work, honored with multiple Best of State awards, truly stands out in the art world.
Doug’s innovative work is celebrated in top design magazines and awarded multiple honors, exemplifies his mastery of blending historical methods with contemporary flair.
Doug Smith’s artwork has garnered acclaim in leading publications and numerous Best of State awards, highlighting his remarkable ability to merge classic techniques with modern artistry.
Headshot DS.jpg
bottom of page