An American folk artist born in Ohio, Lewis Smith was what I consider an artist of pure genius. I lived in Chicago for three years, and during that time, I volunteered at a place called Project Onward. It was a studio for artists with disabilities. It was full of ‘untrained’ artists who found their expression and voice through drawing, painting, collaging, and sculpture. The honesty in their work and the natural urge to create—to be heard—were both fascinating and inspiring. I loved going in and having the opportunity to spend time with these artists, to listen to them, and to support them. Looking at Lewis Smith's work, I could easily say that he could’ve had a place in this studio… Yet, he lived in Ohio. From there he worked from morning to sundown at his home (working with the sun for lack of electricity). He began drawing in his 60s and mostly concentrated his focus on female wrestlers and boxers and images of trains. He used any material available: discarded cardboard boxes, brown paper, and white paper. He created lively images in crayon, ink, and pencil. There is one drawing on white paper that has what appears to be a list or a poem written on it titled ‘It’s Great to Not be Great.' The second part of the drawing reads “Cloak- Your- fear / I Lack what was in the sack / Must We Be Just / A-P-G-. Soap Brain Wash / Be the Shade of Your Lamp / Fantasies Of Life May / Be Appraised at Dime A Dozen / Best- Fan-Wings- Man."
Oh, Lewis, you stole my heart with this one. “BE THE SHADE OF YOUR LAMP.” To this, I say, YES!
-Jen Fisher