“Land and Air is the title I have chosen for this collection of paintings from the past two years. The name refers to the places in the natural world and my many interactions with wildlife, in this case birds. In these moments, I found truth and beauty in this world, and the artwork is my reflection on these interactions between special places and fauna.

After retiring from the classroom two years ago and spending my career indoors, I felt a rejuvenated pull to the outdoors. Perhaps out of nostalgia or maybe for some needed reflection time - I made priority of long, daily walks outdoors. My extended walks allowed for a reconnection with the natural world and to rekindle a kinship I had not fully experienced since my childhood exploring the woods and waters of Central Georgia.

-Robert Smith