James F. Smith
Finding himself unemployed and bored in 1968, Smith began painting, utilizing how-to books. He has since studied with Jim Westall, E. John Robinson, Harold Walkup and Florence Thurman. He began showing and demonstrating his work at the Washington County Fair in 1968 and has also exhibited at numerous galleries on the Coast and in the Portland area. Smith is currently showing his miniatures at the Laurence Gallery and the International Miniature show in Pennsylvania.
A second generation artist, Smith owned and operated the Paint 'n Place in Hillsboro with his mother, the late Stella Dralle.
Disabled twice by brain surgeries in 1976 and again in 1992, Smith firmly believes success in art is a matter of tenacity rather than purely talent. He has taught art classes locally and at the coast for 32 years.
