family, she found time to take several painting classes. She continued teaching
dance classes and producing recitals doing the set decorations and costuming
herself
After rearing six children, she returned to college earning her Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree in drawing and painting. Although she took every drawing and
painting class offered, she still longed for more education particularly in painting
faces. She continued her studies, going into art education and received a
Master of Education degree from Arizona State University. She also studied
with Burton Silverman, David Leffel, Phil Beck, Leslie B.DeMille, Paul Levelle
and many other portrait artists.
She has taught art in elementary, middle school and high school, community
college classes, and continues teaching as an adjunct university teacher and
teaches workshops. Her interest in painting figurative subjects, and portraits in
particular, evolved and she has done many portrait commissions. Her works are
in several private collections.
She is finding she enjoys painting still life subjects and landscape in plein-aire,
but painting people is still her first love. She has several grandchildren who are
willing models (sometimes). She finds people to be fascinating. "The infinite
personalities and gestures compel me to keep painting them."
She is a member of the Portrait Society of America.
dance classes and producing recitals doing the set decorations and costuming
herself
After rearing six children, she returned to college earning her Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree in drawing and painting. Although she took every drawing and
painting class offered, she still longed for more education particularly in painting
faces. She continued her studies, going into art education and received a
Master of Education degree from Arizona State University. She also studied
with Burton Silverman, David Leffel, Phil Beck, Leslie B.DeMille, Paul Levelle
and many other portrait artists.
She has taught art in elementary, middle school and high school, community
college classes, and continues teaching as an adjunct university teacher and
teaches workshops. Her interest in painting figurative subjects, and portraits in
particular, evolved and she has done many portrait commissions. Her works are
in several private collections.
She is finding she enjoys painting still life subjects and landscape in plein-aire,
but painting people is still her first love. She has several grandchildren who are
willing models (sometimes). She finds people to be fascinating. "The infinite
personalities and gestures compel me to keep painting them."
She is a member of the Portrait Society of America.
Jean Turner Smith grew up in Pleasant Grove,
Utah, where she was the third child in a
family.of six. As a child, her favorite gift was a
pad of clean white paper and a box of crayons.
Her interest in art began early in the form of a
designer. She enjoyed sketching designs for
elegant gowns and costuming for dance
recitals. Beginning in high school, she taught
dance classes, designing and sewing most of
the costumes, and drawing on the side. Her art
interest was beginning to focus on people. She
drew many pencil portraits of celebrities and
posted them on her bedroom walls. Although
college was cut short by marriage and raising a
Utah, where she was the third child in a
family.of six. As a child, her favorite gift was a
pad of clean white paper and a box of crayons.
Her interest in art began early in the form of a
designer. She enjoyed sketching designs for
elegant gowns and costuming for dance
recitals. Beginning in high school, she taught
dance classes, designing and sewing most of
the costumes, and drawing on the side. Her art
interest was beginning to focus on people. She
drew many pencil portraits of celebrities and
posted them on her bedroom walls. Although
college was cut short by marriage and raising a