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Rhonda J. Smith

Printmaking, Visual / Media

About the Artist

Rhonda J. Smith is a practicing artist and retired professor of Art who is committed to advancing processes that explore and redefine what printmaking can be. She uses non-toxic inks and the non-traditional approach of mounting her prints to archival boards. Smith served as Chair of the Department of Contemporary Art and Theater at Shepherd University for 30 years and acted as Coordinator of the BFA Painting Program for 5 years before becoming Coordinator of the BFA Printmaking Program for 26 years. She recently retired from Shepherd University after 30 years. She is currently a Master Faculty at Shepherd University teaching African Art and Printmaking. Smith received her BFA from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky and her MFA from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Her work has been exhibited regionally and nationally. A list of recent exhibits can be found under Discover on her website. Smith has traveled extensively in Europe, Africa, China, Peru, India and the United States. She is very proud of the study abroad opportunities she brought to students in her over 20 study abroad trips with students.

Rhonda J. Smith website Middle Bridge Studio/RHONDA SMITH Rhonda J. Smith website Middle Bridge Studio/ Art by Rhonda J. Smith Rhonda J. Smith website TAG/The Artists Gallery Frederick, MD

Artist's Statement

Travel and encounters with the art and culture of other peoples is a powerful motivator for printmaker Rhonda J. Smith. The themes of her prints involve journey, excursions that occur both within the process of creating and in the physical encounters with places and cultures. Like the layers of journey that reveal themselves over time, Smith uses a matrix created on acrylic sheets printed in layers using non-toxic inks. Her printing plates are repurposed sheets of Plexiglas and linoleum.

Featured Work

Photos

Linoleum print series based on Mexican and West African traditions that involve the use of small talisman like objects. In Mexico the milagro (which means miracle) is a small metal charm that might be carried for protection, healing or good luck or might be hung on the sculpture of a saint or cross. Milagros can be almost any subject depending upon the need. In West Africa there is a custom of creating amulets worn to protect, heal or perhaps to bring good luck. All travelers need luck, helping hands, watchful eyes, and people who will help along the way.
Linoleum print series is based on Mexican and West African traditions that involve the use of small talisman like objects. In Mexico the milagro (which means miracle) is a small metal charm that might be carried for protection, healing or good luck or might be hung on the sculpture of a saint or cross. Milagros can be almost any subject depending upon the need. In West Africa there is a custom of creating amulets worn to protect, heal or perhaps to bring good luck. All travelers need luck, helping hands, watchful eyes, and people who will help along the way.
Linoleum print series is based on Mexican and West African traditions that involve the use of small talisman like objects. In Mexico the milagro (which means miracle) is a small metal charm that might be carried for protection, healing or good luck or might be hung on the sculpture of a saint or cross. Milagros can be almost any subject depending upon the need. In West Africa there is a custom of creating amulets worn to protect, heal or perhaps to bring good luck. All travelers need luck, helping hands, watchful eyes, and people who will help along the way.
linoleum, intaglio, mono print
linoleum, intaglio, mono print
This linoleum print series is based on Mexican and West African traditions that involve the use of small talisman like objects. In Mexico the milagro (which means miracle) is a small metal charm that might be carried for protection, healing or good luck or might be hung on the sculpture of a saint or cross. Milagros can be almost any subject depending upon the need. In West Africa there is a custom of creating amulets worn to protect, heal or perhaps to bring good luck. All travelers need luck, helping hands, watchful eyes, and people who will help along the way.