Artist Jessica Smith Says Do What You Love, Even if it Takes You 35 Years

Originally from Texas, Jessica Smith is about to open her first SLC art show. Returning to a childhood dream of becoming an artist, Smith is exploring new parts of herself as she creates joyful, unique portraits.

Smith can’t paint just anyone. It needs to be someone she admires — like Mr. Rogers, Tupac Shakur or Stevie Nicks — to feel right to her. “It’s the expression of love,” she shares. “That connection has to be there for me to enjoy the process.” It’s intimate, too. “When you’re painting someone, it’s kind of like you’re touching their face over and over again,” Smith says.

Smith specializes in instantly recognizable portraits. A painting isn’t finished until she’s confident about the resemblance. Her first subject was Richard Brautigan, a personally beloved writer. Positive reception online, and a few other early wins, gave Smith the confidence she needed to keep going.

The title of her show, “35 Years of Not Painting,” is exactly what it sounds like. As a child, Smith wanted to be an artist. But in high school, an art teacher censored her work and took some joy out of the process. (Smith turned to theater instead.) Later, when her son was diagnosed with autism, Smith made him personalized picture books rather than spending on the expensive resources available. 

It wasn’t until COVID-19 that Smith picked up a paintbrush for herself. She bought minimal paint supplies and sat at her kitchen table rather than use an easel. “Why buy one?” she thought. Smith recalls thinking, “This won’t go anywhere.”

“The cool thing about becoming an artist in your 40s,” Smith shares, “is that I don’t really have an identity. It’s flexible.” Smith does recognize her unique perspective. It’s a collage of every part of her: being a single parent in poverty for so long, being an enrolled tribal member and growing up in Texas, to name a few.

As an adult, Smith is reconnecting with her roots in a way her family wasn’t able to. Her grandparents were both enrolled tribal members of Cherokee Nation, but the circumstances they grew up in (Smith’s grandmother was born about four years after the Tulsa Race Massacre) meant they preferred to identify as white. Two generations later, in a safer place, Smith feels she can “be exactly what I am … and if you don’t like it, that’s on you.” Part of reconnecting was getting TERO (Tribal Rights Employment Office) Certified. This means Smith is presented as a potential option, among other certified artists, if someone approaches her tribe looking for a Cherokee artist.

In Salt Lake City, Smith has found an incredible support system: the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake. Providing crafts, dinners, speakers, healthcare and more, the UICSL has become a beloved resource for her. In terms of food? Smith gives a shoutout to Navajo Hogan. “I cried eating my fry bread taco … Definitely go [to Navajo Hogan].” 

For her exhibit, Smith is going all in with a collection of everything she’s made — that hasn’t sold yet. She’s stayed true to what she loves to paint and hopes that love is felt by all. Still, Smith wants the show to be less about her and more about saying, “You could do something like this. I know you can.” 

Battling a major creative block, Smith hopes that every visitor will share what the show inspires them to do in her guest book. With the courage to try something new, Smith knows people can unlock new potential. You might be unaware of a talent that’s “already in you,” she says. “Maybe there’s something to be said for making a five-year-old you happy. And maybe that’s the thing that’s going to transform your life.” 

“35 Years of Not Painting” will be on display in the Lower Urban Room Gallery at the main branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library from May 11 to June 21.

Read about other local art exhibits:
The Lost and Found Utah Alphabet
Hear! Hear! Kimball Art Center’s (Re)sounding