Meet Tim Smith | Visual Artist & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I truly believe without taking big risks, you prevent yourself from growing as a person, and in my case as an artist. Recently I just took a huge risk. I resigned from my safe job, a full time teacher- with a guaranteed salary and annual contract-to follow my dreams of becoming a professional full-time artist. There’s a saying I have heard before that goes “If you want big rewards, you have to take big risks.” I am not going to lie, it is scary. I have 3 young children, a mortgage, and bills to pay. Relying on myself and my creativity to pay the bills is a challenge sometimes. However, it is a challenge that I know will pay off as I continue to grow my business and career. I chose to take this risk in order to live a more fulfilling life. To me, I’d rather take a risk and fail, then have regrets about never trying.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I consider myself a contemporary artist. I enjoy painting large pieces of numerous subject matters- portraits, cityscapes, landscapes, animals…etc.

I was never supposed to be an artist. I never saw a future in it, and to me, it was just a childhood hobby. However in the last 7 years, I felt a void in my life like something was missing. I always was a creative type, but never knew how I could express it. I just knew that if I was writing, or making videos, or drawing, or building, it made me feel better; like I NEEDED it. In August 2015, I decided to start drawing again. It was exactly what I was looking for. Since then, I have been lucky enough to make it my job. I have several Solo Shows, been in the newspaper, been on TV news segments, met some really great people, and have had some great opportunities to make money doing something that I felt I was put here to do. So I am most proud of that. Seizing opportunities in order to create a life I love.

When it comes to my art, I believe my authenticity, and imperfections are what set me apart from other artists. By authentic, I mean this. I am me. I am not trying to be the textbook definition of an artist or follow the rules of what “artists should do”. I never went to art school. I don’t know all the techinical terms, or the “correct” way to do some things. But I never hide my mistakes in my creative process. I want people to see the imperfections as I am creating. I want people to see the challenge and struggle. I also want them to see me persevere. It’s never easy. To me, art is sort of like a puzzle. Each paint stroke is a small step closer to the finished piece. It might not start out pretty, but like most things in life, you have to get through the difficult parts in order to reap the rewards at the end.

There have been numerous challenges throughout my art journey. I was never a very business minded person when I was starting out but now, I have learned how to completely run the marketing, financing, social media, and everything else you need to run a successful business.
Another challenge has been finding creative ways to grow my business and get attention. I was lucky enough to have a sit down in New York, with marketing expert and entrepreneur, Garyvee. He told me to reach out to influencers and give them a painting. I have done that for several people to help grow my business.
I have learned that if you are passionate enough about a subject, there are always going to be opportunities to grow it. You just have to be willing to make them.
I want people to know that I am trying to prove to society that the starving artist is a thing of the past. I want people to know that it is possible for a creative to make it successfully in this world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well being from the Jersey Shore, let’s say my friends were coming to visit me there. We would go to the beach a few days of the week. I’d prefer to be there early, and leave late afternoon, after a day of surfing and swimming. Then, I’d make sure we hit Atlantic City for one night just to see the sights and maybe catch a show. It would be important to get at least 2 days of golf in at Atlantic City Country Club and Seaview Golf Course- two of my favorite. For dinner there are too many great options so for one of the nights we’d have to go to Charlie’s for their world famous wings. Another night, we would have a seafood/bbq- crabs; shrimp; corn, burgers and some cold beers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where do I begin? I am by far one of the luckiest people when it comes to having a support system. My wife, was amazing enough to support me and encourage me to take the leap as a full time artist. My parents have been encouraging my creativity since I was a child. My brother and sisters have shared pretty much everything I have made to help me get where I am. My Uncle, is an unbelievable professional artist (@MikeBellDog) and has served as a great mentor for me throughout my journey. So many books, (all of Steven Pressfield’s and Austin Kleon’s), so many entrepreneurs, artists, and speakers have inspired and I have learned from throughout the years (Garyvee, Jordan Peterson, Andrew Tischler, Kiptoe, and so many more). I am so lucky to have so many great friends and family members who have shared, liked, and supported me since the beginning. I honestly would run out of room. So BIG SHOUT OUT TO YOU ALL. I wouldn’t be on this journey without you.

Website: Www.theartworkoftimsmith.com

Instagram: @TimSmithArt

Twitter: @TimSmithArt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSSDraw

Youtube: @TimSmithArt

Other: TikTok: @TimSmithArt Email: TSSDraw@gmail.com Feel free to follow and subscribe on all platforms! I answer DM’s on instagram.

Image Credits
Photo Credit to Ben Hale (Image of Tim Sitting in front of NYC painting)