Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
57
February 15 - 28, 2014
Smith’s work familiar sight in Chandler BY KATHRYN BECK
The work of local graphic designer and artist Tad Smith can be seen throughout the East Valley. However, most people probably don’t realize it’s his. A Gilbert resident, Smith is the designer behind the downtown Chandler’s historic lamp post logo and many of the city’s visitors’ guides and brochures. “He is very familiar with the city and is very involved with the art community,” says Kimberly Janes, Chandler’s tourism development coordinator. “He knows the different businesses and what they are looking for.” Smith, who has also done work for Mesa and Fountain Hills, is the owner of The Design Idea, a company that he and his wife, Heather, founded 18 years ago. His love for art started at a young age. Then it turned into a passion for graphic design. Soon, Smith realized this was something he wanted to pursue. “I’ve always been into art and it was in high school when I got into graphic design and wanted to become a graphic artist,” Smith says. He worked for Tieken Design until he had the urge to start his own business. “I had some contacts and they continued to encourage me to start my own business,” says Smith, who collaborated on the 2012 children’s book, “Tales of a Tombstone, Arizona, Tortoise” with his wife.
Honoring Chandler But Smith’s work goes beyond graphic
design. His exhibition, “The Chandler Portraits,” is on display at Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler through Saturday, March 8. It features 20 pop art-style portraits of people who have made an impact on Chandler. The portraits include Chandler founder Dr. A.J. Chandler, Bashas’ late CEO Eddie Basha, former SanTan Sun News owner/publisher Laurie Fagen and Chandler Unified School District superintendent Dr. Camille Casteel. “I started doing this type of art way back in college. It wasn’t on computer so I would have to draw them out by hand,” Smith says. These days Smith works off a photograph of the person then might adjust the image and scan the photo. Afterward, he prints the image on canvas and finally applies paint. He will even do custom portraits that can take a few weeks to complete. Smith has shown his well-known Glamour Girl collection around the Valley for a several years, including First Friday events in downtown Phoenix. It showcases portraits of women—celebrities and noncelebrities—who are redheads, blondes and brunettes. He said after pitching his Glamour Girl collection to local galleries he decided he wanted to create portraits that honored important people in Chandler. “The portraits are very lively and modern,” says Eric Fulhaber, visual arts coordinator for Vision Gallery. “He uses simplistic lines and when you look at it you know who it is.”
SERVING THE CITIZENS OF CHANDLER: The mayor and council from 2013 to 2014: front row, from left, Councilwoman Trinity Donovan, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Councilwoman Nora Ellen; back row, from left, Councilman Jeff Weninger, Councilman Jack Sellers, Councilman Kevin Hartke and Vice Mayor Rick Heumann. Submitted photo
Smith said he gets his inspiration from artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Patrick Nagel. Fulhaber says the community nominated 47 people for Smith’s Chandler Portraits. There are plans to continue the collection next year. For Smith, seeing the finished product gives him great joy. “It feels great to get a task done. It’s a sense of elation to get the process done,” Smith says. “With the Chandler Portraits I got to know these people and at the opening exhibit I felt like I’ve known them.” When he is working with clients the key for him is to listen and be personable. “I have different styles and I listen to the client because what they do is important, too,” Smith says.
He continues to stay connected to Chandler and has a strong affinity for the city. “The City of Chandler is like a friend,” he says. Vision Gallery is located at 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call (480) 782-2695 or visit www.visiongallery.org. Kathryn Beck is a student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She can be reached at news@santansun. com.
CopperstarCamps.com
Paint Your Own Art
The Chandler Portraits By Tad Smith January 24th - March 8th 10 E. Chicago Street • Chandler • 480-782-2695 M o n d ay - F r i d ay 10 a . m . - 5 p . m . , S a t u r d ay s 10 a . m . - 4 p . m .
• Private Art Lessons • Certified Studio Instructors • One-on-One Learning • Acrylic Painting • Drawing: Pencil, Charcoal, Pastels • Age 5 to Adult, Seniors Welcome • Group Lessons - Family Discounts
Walk-in & Paint Anytime. No Art Skills Needed. Paint Parties. BYOB Paint Parties.
480-464-6077 www.SunDustGallery.com
Mon. to Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
207 E. Williams Field Rd. #102, Gilbert
—2013—
Best of East Valley
$50
OFF
BIRTHDAY PAINT PARTY or PRIVATE LESSON PACKAGE When you mention this ad. Some restrictions apply.