douglas brent smith

The purest art comes from those who avoid the smoothed out perfect ruts. -- Harry X. Tudas 

  When my brother Dave and I were quite young we both wanted to be spies. "The Man From Uncle" was a popular TV show and we never missed it. James Bond was also all the rage. We liked the gadgets, the exotic travels, the fast cars, all of the action. We didn't turn out to be spies of course (or did we?). Dave does his spying from heaven, and I decided long ago that spying was out of the question because torture could be involved. Also, art and education are more fun. Constructing Contemplation - collage by douglas brent smith, 19 October 1997, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  A business call that takes too long. A meeting that's rambling. Waiting for the copy machine. There must have been times when an odd doodle showed up and grew into something collecting, something expressing. Here's an idea -- the next time you reach for your device to idly scroll, instead pick up a pen and some paper and doodle. It does not need to be anything at all. Doodle. Poke it. Prod it. Dress it up in your favorite doll house.  You will not have wasted your time. Think Tank Leakage - collage/mixed media/sketch by douglas brent smith, 1997.  From Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  Even when I created this collage the source photo, the basis of the scene, is an old photo of a Child's Play performance. That's a distorted Victor Podagrosi in the left corner. I drew the halo because Victor had died about a year earlier than when I made this piece.  It's a fever dream to mash-up some original sketches with an actual CP performance. My world blended so well with that company.  Do you have a group of people you blend with just exactly right? I could feel that from the start with Victor and June and everyone who entered the company contributed to that superb blend.  Scene Change #42, collage, mixed media by doug smith, from Journal #32, Secret Change Agent

  If you were around in 1997, what do you remember most from that time? I mostly remember my little family, dedicated work, and occasional dances with the artist inside me. Like this doodle drawing.  I added the hat to the little man pointing, just today, because he oddly resembled someone in the news who I'd rather not feature.  The people I knew best in 1997 are still precious to me. Keep your loved ones close. One Great Shining Moment - sketch by douglas brent smith, 1997. From Journal #32, Secret Change Agent. 

  "Must be January." "Yep." "That's when you work on and think about collages the most." "Correct." "Good times." "Indeed." I look out the window. Snow. Not Chicago level snow, but still snow. Colder than usual. Later than usual. If life is a collage, the picture is still forming. It will be there even when we're not looking. Even when we're not there." Awkward Climb -- collage by Douglas Brent Smith, 1997