UNPREDICTABLE

VERENA SMITH

October 22-November 30th

Reception for the Artist: Friday October 22, 4-6pm

Artist statement:

“When I was 20, I spent 7 years in Rome  - and that was my initial great inspiration for wanting to make art. Just seeing it and living it all around me!

After overcoming my self-doubt; I went with my feelings and hope to have some inspirational impact for someone….

Vision, feeling and curiosity are my main motivating heart/mind qualities!

I add my voice to the chorus, to make the world a place with more awe and gratitude for life, beauty and growth.”

Artist Bio:

After a perilous escape from Frankfurt,  Verena Smith was born in 1944 in Austria.  After the war, her mother undertook the arduous journey back to Frankfurt  - with Verena’s older sister Kornelia by her hand and Verena in her arms.

Life was dangerous and Verena grew up in post world war II Germany - depressed, sad, embittered and guilty- Germany! Verena felt like if you were a happy little girl, there was no room for you! It felt prohibitive to be lighthearted and happy. 

As a little girl, she was self-inquiring. She remembers one of her first pieces of artwork was an embroidered self-portrait that she made out of wool. It had mustard colored pigtails. 

At age 16, Verena traveled to her family in Italy, Rome. What an intense ray of hope...there it was ok to feel joy and laughter! A fantastic eye opener - much happiness and so much ART.  

Verena  lived in Trastevere, Italy (the old part of Rome) for seven inspiring years. Trastevere is the home of many artists and countless galleries.

It was a very enriching time for Verena on many levels.