“My artwork is inspired by the beauty I explore in nature every day.”
artist statement
Art is healing. It stimulates the brain, sparks new neural pathways, and expands the mind. For me, the act of creating is profoundly transformative and restorative.
My paintings are interpretations of moments and memories—bold, emotive works that evoke feeling and embrace edginess. Through dynamic brushstrokes and layered textures, I aim to both inspire and soothe, telling visual stories that resonate deeply.
My inspiration comes from the beauty of nature I encounter daily that fuels my creative energy and drives my artistic expression. My work reflects this connection, translating organic textures and fleeting impressions into vibrant, meaningful compositions. Each piece is a mirror of my personal evolution and ongoing journey of self-discovery as an artist.
My artistic vision can stem from a place, a pattern, or even a passing shadow. I begin with sketches or shapes, letting each painting evolve intuitively. As layers build, so does meaning—each mark intentional, each color a reflection of emotion. Movement, flow, and authenticity guide my hand and heart throughout the process.
– Lucas W. Smith
biography
Lucas Smith is a contemporary abstract artist based in San Diego, known for his vibrant, textural works. He brings a fresh perspective to abstract art, blending imagination, raw materials, and refined techniques to create pieces that invite viewers on a journey of exploration.
He is an acrylic- mixed media artist working on canvas and wood panels. He developed his unique style and limited color palette in classes & workshops primarily at the San Diego Watercolor Society and Art on 30th in San Diego, CA. Lucas also completed a 24-week Artist Development & Mentorship Program where he honed his professional skills and artistic voice.
Lucas is the resident artist of Studio 2 at Art on 30th in North Park, San Diego. In the past year, Lucas’s work has been juried in dozens of shows in some of San Diego County’s best galleries and awarded Best of Show, two 1st place, two 2nd place, 3rd place, Juror’s Choice, three Honorable Mentions and People’s Choice.
In 2024, Lucas’s first solo exhibition at Gallery 21 broke gallery sales records at 22 pieces. With over 55 paintings sold last year, his work is in private collections in California, Oregon, Arizona, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri; Internationally in Norway and Australia.
Lucas is a member of Carlsbad Oceanside Art League, San Diego Watercolor Society, OMA Artist Alliance, Sergeant Art Group, Foothills Art Association, and the San Diego Museum of Art. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of the SDWS 45th International Exhibition and devotes his energy to commissioned creations and continued maturity of his artistic vision and voice.
Visitors are welcome experience his work firsthand in Studio 2 at Art on 30th located at 4434 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116 Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM and during the monthly Ashton Gallery Opening Receptions, or by private appointment.
CV
Education 2024 - 2025
Assistant Director of the 2025 International Exhibition - the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery https://www.sdws.org/about.php?ID=31
Studio Artist Studio 2 - Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th https://www.arton30th.com/studio-artists.html
"Professional Artist Group" with Kate Ashton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA "Advanced Abstract Art" with Kate Ashton, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA “Expressive Figures” with Roberta Dyer, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA
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 The San Diego Watercolor Society Asst. Director of the 2025 International Exhibition https://www.sdws.org/members-websites.php Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th Studio Artist - https://www.arton30th.com/studio-artists.html OMA Member - Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance 2023, 2024 - https://oma-online.org/aa-registry/
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 2025 “Dreamscape” The 2025 San Diego County Fair Exhibition of Fine Art - Third Place Award “Devil & the Blue Sea” Foothills Art Association - People’s Choice Award “Petals & Ash”, North Coastal Art Gallery - May Exhibition. - Awarded Third Place “Mystic Meadows”, Gallery 4% - 6th Unreal & Non-Representational (Abstract) International Art Contest - Awarded Third Prize
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
2025 “Lucas Smith Retrospective Solo Exhibit”, Winer Family Community Room, San Carlos Branch Library, San Diego, CA 2025
“Solo Exhibition - Beyond the Boundaries”, Gallery 21, Spanish Village Arts Center, San Diego, CA 2024
“Lucas Smith - Solo Exhibition”, Gallery 21, Spanish Village Arts Center, San Diego, CA
Select Group Exhibitions 2024 - 2025 “The Merry Month of May”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA “Growth in Motion”, The San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery, San Diego, CA “Divided Canvas”, Pro Group Show, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA “Gathering Light”, Regional Exhibition, Ashton Art Gallery, San Diego, CA - OMA Artist Alliance “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
2025, Summer, Art is Not a Hobby: Sit Down Interview with Phurlamu: View the Interview Here - https://artisnotahobby.co/pages/meet-the-masters
2025, Spring, San Diego Union Tribune “Beyond the Boundaries: An Exploration in abstract Art” News Paper Article
2025, Spring, KPBS Online “Beyond the Boundaries: An Exploration in abstract Art” Online: https://www.kpbs.org/events/
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”
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/