Isaac D Smith Translates Synesthesia into Oil Paintings and Stained Glass
Isaac D Smith, an artist originally from Anchorage, Alaska, now resides in Washington State, where he focuses on oil painting and custom leaded stained glass. Since childhood, he has experienced synesthesia, enabling him to visualize music in the form of colors and shapes. His artwork embodies this unique perception, connecting sound, light, and form to personal memories, such as the light cycles of Alaska and his son's autumn explorations. Smith’s oil paintings are characterized by vibrant colors and fluid movement, prioritizing gesture over literal depiction. His dual-canvas work titled "Flowing" highlights the dynamics of water. In his stained glass creations, he employs innovative beveling techniques to enhance depth and light interaction. Currently, he is working on a piece centered around the theme of letting go, inspired by music, particularly that of Beethoven and Bach.
Key facts
- Isaac D Smith was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and now lives in Washington State.
- Smith works primarily through oil painting and custom leaded stained glass.
- He has experienced synesthesia since childhood, with music producing colors and shapes in his mind, often in motion.
- His oil paintings feature saturated color and organic movement, with warm golds, deep greens, and vivid blues recurring.
- Growing began with Smith observing the curve of a single branch from a hanging basket, with a warm yellow ochre ground supporting animated greens and yellows.
- Flowing spans two large canvases, one measuring 48 by 32 inches and the other 42 by 28 inches, with an intentional open break between the panels.
- His stained glass pieces are designed with their installation spaces in mind, joining artwork and architecture through the conditions of a specific setting.
- Smith is now preparing an oil painting of a figure centered on the feeling of letting go, a process he says he has been learning and moving through over the past several years.
Entities
Artists
- Isaac D Smith
- Beethoven
- Bach
- Vivaldi
Institutions
- AATONAU
Locations
- Anchorage
- Alaska
- Washington State
- United States
Sources
- AATONAU —