Community Sketchbook

Title: “River scene Bed and Breakfast of Boonville, Missouri”

Artist: Byron Smith

About the Artist: Smith’s passion for art began at a very young age, when he started drawing the comics in the newspaper. He would continue his interest in art, especially in watercolor, through art classes in high school and at MU. The first time Smith exhibited his work, at the 32nd annual Art in the Park Fair, he didn’t know what to expect. After he sold more than $600 of artwork, he focused his attention on what received the best feedback.

“I was inspired to do more landscape painting because I got such a positive reaction from the public,” Smith said.

As a local artist, Smith paints about two watercolors per week, which are sold at the antique shop, A La Campagne.

Smith said he enjoys, “painting everything around me, especially nature,” including historical landmarks throughout the city.

As a Columbia native, he knows the area well and chooses a place in nature he feels has meaning.

“Some people think landscape is boring, but every time I paint, it’s always a new experience because the atmosphere and light change with every picture,” Smith said.

About the work: “River scene Bed and Breakfast of Boonville, Missouri” is a 16-by-20-inch watercolor that was replicated from a historic building in Boonville along the Missouri River Bottoms. Although Smith said he finds himself going to the same places, this location was a first-time endeavor. First, he drew a light sketch of the building and landscape and then added light washes of color. Smith continued by gradually intensifying the color by using darker washes to create a contrast of light and shade. He said he completed the watercolor by detailing with red pen “to give the building a more defined contrast of lines.”