“My artwork is inspired by the beauty I explore in nature every day.”
artist statement
Art is healing. It stimulates the brain, creates new neurons, and expands the mind. For me, the process is deeply transformative and restorative.
My paintings are interpretations of moments and memories—powerful works that evoke emotion and embrace edginess. Through dynamic brushstrokes and layered textures, my art is meant not only to inspire but also to soothe the mind and tell a story.
People often ask me, "What inspires you? What ties your work together?
" My response is simple: my inspiration comes from the beauty of nature I encounter daily. My work reflects the energy I feel and transforms it into visual stories on canvas. It mirrors my ongoing growth and self-discovery as an artist.
Inspiration can arise from a destination or the textures of nature itself. My bold and vibrant palettes reflect these experiences. Each piece begins with sketches, evolving naturally as layers build, each carrying its own unique meaning. Movement, flow, and authenticity guide my creative process.’’
– Lucas W. Smith
biography
Lucas Smith is a contemporary abstract artist based in San Diego, known for his vibrant, textural works. Since relocating from the Midwest in 2021, Lucas has brought a fresh perspective to abstract art, blending imagination, raw materials, and refined techniques to create pieces that invite viewers on a journey of exploration.
An award-winning artist, Lucas’s paintings are displayed in galleries across San Diego County, and he is a resident artist in Studio #2 at Ashton Art Gallery at Art on 30th.
Lucas’s artistic roots trace back to his small, rural hometown in the Midwest. Surrounded by creative influences, including his artist grandmothers—a seamstress specializing in bold quilt designs and an oil painter who focuses on scenic landscapes—he developed a deep connection to art. Growing up, even his middle and high school art teachers played a role in shaping his artistic foundation.
After relocating to San Diego, Lucas invested in his artistic journey by taking classes and workshops, including those at the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) in Liberty Station. There, he became a member, a dedicated volunteer, and now serves as Assistant Director of the International Exhibition for 2025.
Lucas also completed a 24-week Artist Development & Mentorship Program at Ashton Art Gallery, studying under renowned local artists Kate Ashton, Brenda York, and Kristen Guest. Their guidance helped him hone his professional skills and artistic voice. Lucas is now a member of the Professional Artists group and continuing his own artistic studies through advanced classes and critique groups.
In 2024, Lucas held his first solo exhibition at Gallery 21 in Spanish Village, Balboa Park, where he achieved record-breaking sales of 22 paintings in just two weeks. With over 50 paintings sold last year alone, his work is now part of collections across California and the U.S., including New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, and Arizona, as well as internationally in Norway.
Beyond creating art, Lucas is passionate about fostering community. He launched Art Connect, an online network that links artists to regional, national, and international opportunities while encouraging collaboration and mutual support.
Lucas is a member of COAL (Carlsbad Oceanside Art League), The San Diego Watercolor Society, OMA Artist Alliance, Sergeant Art Group, Foothills Art Association, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Visitors are welcome to stop by his studio at Art on 30th (4434 30th Street, Studio #2, San Diego, CA) Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, to experience his work firsthand.
CV
Education 2024
”Expressive Figures” with Roberta Dyer, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA "Professional Artist Group" with Kate Ashton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA https://www.arton30th.com/pros.html "Advanced Abstract Art" with Kate Ashton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA https://www.ashtonartgallery.com/artists.html
Studio Artist Studio 2 - Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th https://www.arton30th.com/studio-artists.html
2023
“Artists Development & Mentorship Program”, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Finding Your Visual Voice" with Brenda York, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Seascapes" Workshop with Lori Hinton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
“Abstractionism” from Germany with Barbara Inbody, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
“Textured Minimalism” with Mike Lafata, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
”Abstract Watermedia" with Kathleen Scoggin, The San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, CA
"Color Mixing" with Kristen Guest, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Color Harmony" with Kristen Guest, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Intro to Abstract Art" with Kristen Guest, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Art 101" with Jennifer Grisard-Ludwig, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"Intermediate Abstract Art" with Kate Ashton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
2022
“Abstractionism” from Germany Workshops by Barbara Inbody Art, San Diego, CA
2008
University of Missouri St Louis
Art History 1 – Prehistoric – Gothic
Affiliations Professional Artist Group - https://www.arton30th.com/pros.html Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th Studio Artist - https://www.arton30th.com/studio-artists.html Art on 30th Instructor - https://www.arton30th.com/art-instructors.html OMA Member - Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance 2023, 2024 - https://oma-online.org/aa-registry/
The San Diego Watercolor Society Member 2023, 2024 - https://www.sdws.org/members-websites.php
Carlsbad - Oceanside Art League Member 2024 Foothills Art Association Member 2024 - https://foothillsartassociation.com/lucas-smith/ Sergeant Art Group 2024 - https://www.sargentartgroup.org/lucas-smith.html
Awards 2024 “Distant Shore” ,”Sunsets & Seascapes”, “Exhilaration”, and “Abstractionism”, TERAVARNA 13th Abstract International Juried Art Competition - Honorable Mention Award “Square Spaces” Foothills Art Association - People’s Choice Award “Distant Shore” Ashton Art Gallery, Golden Autumn, Regional Exhibition. - Awarded Best of Show by Mike Tauber, juror “Exhilaration” Ashton Art Gallery, Splendid Summer, Regional Exhibition. - Awarded Juror’s Choice by Sandi Cottrell, juror “Aerial " North Coastal Art Gallery, 2024 Member Exhibition. - Awarded 2nd place by Denise Cerro, juror “Born to be Wild” Ashton Art Gallery, Fresh, Regional Exhibition. - Awarded 1st Place by Thai Huynh French, juror “On the Horizon” North Coastal Art Gallery, May Member Show. - Awarded 1st place by Jayne Spencer, juror “Heart Shaped Palm” North Coastal Art Gallery, April Member Exhibition. - Honorable Mention by Katie Joiner, juror “Broken Hill” North Coastal Art Gallery, August Member Show. - Awarded 2nd Place
2023
”Nature’s Spotlight” SDWS Gallery, Luminous Spaces. - Awarded Best of Minis by Chuck McPherson, juror “Vibrant Cups” SDWS Gallery, Where the Fun is Exhibition. - Awarded Honorable Mention by Roberta Dyer, juror
Solo Exhibitions
2024
“Solo Exhibition”, Gallery 21, Spanish Village Arts Center, San Diego, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions 2024 “13th Abstract”, International Juried Art Competition, TERAVARNA - Honorable Mention Award “Golden Autumn”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA - Awarded Best of Show by Mike Tauber, juror “Splendid Summer”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA - Awarded Juror’s Choice by Sandi Cottrell, juror “Reverberating Notes”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
“Finest Art Showcase San Diego”, International Exhibition, Art Scene West, San Diego, CA “Member Show”, North Coastal Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA - Awarded 1st place by Jayne Spencer, juror
“Mixin’ It Up” Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA “Abstract Exhibition”, Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA
“Fresh”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA - Awarded 1st Place by Thai Huynh French, juror
“RED HOT”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Treasures", The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Mentor Exhibit-Retrospective", Studio 6 at Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
"The No Theme, Theme Show", Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA
"Small Image Art Show", Gallery 21, Spanish Village Arts Center, San Diego, CA
"2024 Member Exhibition" North Coastal Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA - Awarded 2nd place by Denise Cerro, juror
"Artistic Resurgence”, OMA Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance, San Diego, CA
"Emerging Free”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
2023
"3rd Annual Mentorship Exhibition", Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Luminous Spaces”, The San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, CA - Awarded Best of Minis by Chuck McPherson, juror
"Holiday Art Show", Oceanside Artwalk at the Seabird Resort, Oceanside, CA
"What's the Story?", The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
"Holiday Art Show", North Coastal Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
"MyPoint", The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
"4th Annual Reigning Cats & Dogs Exhibition", Gallery 21, Spanish Village, San Diego, CA
"Autumn Glory", Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA
“Under the Moon”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
“71st Fine Art Open Annual”, North Coastal Art Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
“Where the Fun is”, The San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, CA, - Awarded Honorable Mention by Roberta Dyer, juror
“Color Scheming”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
“Beach Party”, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA
“Climate in Change”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
“Blooming Thoughts”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA
Press
2023, Fall, SDWS Press Release, Luminous Spaces Exhibition, The San Diego Watercolor Society, “Mission Valley Artist Wins Best of Miniatures Award” (Nature’s Spotlight by Lucas Smith) https://www.sdws.org/sdwsblog/2023/12/01/juror-comments-december-2023-members-show-luminous-spaces/
2024, Spring, San Diego Union Tribune, “Minimal Design & Organic Shapes” Solo Exhibition by Lucas Smith https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com
2024, Spring, KPBS, “Minimal Designs & Organic Shapes An Art Exhibition” https://www.kpbs.org/events/ongoing/minimal-designs-organic-shapes-an-art-exhibition
2024, Spring, Uptown News Article, Spring Artist Spotlight “Artist Lucas Smith Solo Exhibit Gallery 21”
2024, April, MYFOX8 EIN Presswire | Newsmatics, Mission Valley Artist Making His Mark on San Diego with "Minimal Designs & Organic Shapes" at Gallery 21 https://myfox8.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/698678808/mission-valley-artist-making-his-mark-on-san-diego-with-minimal-designs-organic-shapes-at-gallery-21-in-april/
2024, August, Canvas Rebel Magazine, article by Mike Alvarez “Meet Lucas Smith”
2024, October, SDVoyager Magazine, Interview “Rising Stars of San Diego”
2024, November, BOLD Journey Magazine, Fall Interview “BOLDJourney: Meet Lucas Smith, San Diego”