Wild and Holy Things: Recent Works by Kitty Smothers
May 14 - August 28
Reception August 20
STATEMENT
My work is rooted in a lifelong connection to the Southern landscape.
From an early age, I was drawn outside—gardening alongside my grandparents, playing
in the dirt, and finding a sense of belonging in the natural world. That early closeness
shaped not only how I see the land, but how I experience it.
In a life increasingly shaped by noise and technology, I believe we've grown disconnected
from that grounding presence. For me, nature is a place of return—where I feel most
centered, most at peace. Even in difficult seasons, simply stepping outside and feeling
the sun has had the power to steady me.
I'm drawn to quiet, easily overlooked scenes—a fading field, an old house, the hush
of trees. Rather than painting a place exactly as it appears, I focus on how it feels,
using muted color, softened edges, and layered texture to evoke stillness, memory,
and time.
The more I pay attention, the more I notice the wild and holy things woven into the
everyday—small, easily missed moments that feel almost sacred. I'm known to whisper
encouragement to my growing flowers, and quiet thank-yous for the gift of their beauty
and company. The sound of the river feels like music to me.
Through this work, I've come to experience God not as distant or overwhelming, but
as near and gentle—present in light, in movement, and in stillness.
Based in º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, Alabama, my paintings are an invitation to slow down, to look closely,
and to rediscover the quiet wonder and presence woven into the natural world.
BIO
Kitty Smothers is a painter based in º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, Alabama, whose work is rooted in a deep
connection to the Southern landscape. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art
from º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University and a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology and spent
25 years working in higher education before transitioning into full-time studio practice.
She also apprenticed under the late internationally known artist Nall Hollis.
Raised in a creative family, with a father who was both a painter and musician, Smothers
grew up surrounded by art and music.
For more than 27 years, Smothers has painted and sold her work professionally, with
a primary focus on portraiture. This foundation in capturing likeness and presence
continues to inform her current work, lending a quiet sensitivity and structure to
her landscapes.
Working primarily in acrylic, she is known for atmospheric paintings that balance
expressive texture with restraint. Her work often explores overlooked rural scenes—fields,
gardens, aging structures, and tree-lined horizons—capturing not just the appearance
of a place, but its mood and presence.
In addition to her studio work, she is recognized for her live wedding paintings,
where she captures both the likeness of her subjects and the atmosphere of the moment
in real time.
She currently lives in South Alabama with her husband, one daughter, and two dachshunds.