Gregory R Smith FVAS Spring Art Exhibition - '4 of the Best' - 2nd October to 6th November 2011 To an Artist, the gift of sight represents a fine line between pleasure and pain. Pain lies in the frustration of never quite reaching the total truth, while pleasure is the reward of experiencing the visual beauty before you. Developing an understanding of sight through art develops an appreciation for all things revealed by light. Whether it is inside a studio, or simply outdoors, noticing the rapid changes, shifts of light, and the effect on the natural world. Gregory Smith thrives on the challenges presented by shifting light. The Melbourne born artist and teacher has spent over 27 years in front of the easel, receiving tuition from notable painters such as Max Wilks, Shirley Bourne and Graham Moore. Gregory's enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge has contributed to the long-term success of his own school now in its 17th year. Gregory was elected onto the Victorian Artist's Society Council in 1989 and has been its Outdoor Convener ever since. As an artist who only paints directly from life, he assists others to share his discoveries by running regular plein air painting trips. For some painters, landscapes simply fall off the brush onto the canvas. Painting en plein air however, presents the enormous challenge of having to make frequent artistic decisions in a very short space of time. The longer the work takes, the more confusing everything appears, especially as the sun is always on the move. As a result of nearly three decades of disciplined plein air effort, Gregory believes that practice soon becomes experience, which in turn becomes knowledge. Yet his fundamental belief remains the same; trust your eye, not your thoughts. Gregory's reputation has grown through his achievements - he has had more than twenty solo exhibitions and received well over one hundred art awards throughout the country. He is also often called on to judge, demonstrate, and lecture to various groups. As a tonal realist painter he has conquered the battle to create a sense of depth and space in his still lifes while prioritizing light over dark. His mission is to create the illusion of space on a flat canvas; this must be achieved before the subject can become relevant. He has no preference for a particular subject matter. The act of painting itself is his passion, whether a floral study or the subtly varying skin tones in a life work or portrait. Gregory's observational skills are an integral element of his art. His work showcases the versatility and craftsmanship of this well-established artist. Each of his paintings is something seen, observed and recorded in oils, never to be forgotten.