About Danny
So a long time ago yet a relatively short time after birth infact when my hand could grasp a pencil it decided to do just that…..and my life as an artist began…..
School went as school does, I made my hedgehog aged 10 in pottery class and was as ever drawing everything there was to draw. People featured in sketches as did windmills in country scenes and birds and as ever all over my text books!
In secondary school I was always one for playing hookey and once after being collared and as a compromise to keep me in school my head of year granted my wish to give me more art classes and in exchange I would stay in school. He did so I did! Brilliant work from a brilliant teacher! Thankyou Mr Cox. After one of my first lessons with my new extended art teacher Mrs Swantonioska (check spelling!) I stayed at lunch and drew Michealangelo’s mother and child in front of her…..the next day she said I was to go to Reigate art and design where I was to sign a contract for a three years stint there. Thankyou Mrs Swantonioska!
Reigate art and design college was an amazing experience with great teachers and the three years largely based on life drawing, drawing 8 hours a day five days a week. I loved it!
Then to Uni where I studied special design architectural design instillation art among other disceplines although my time was up there I’d had enough of the art world as the love for it had gone and we parted ways…..
It was to be some 20 years and unimaginable heartbreak as god knows life loves a curveball before I should return….but now here I am bright etlyed and bushy tailed and back!
Although my time away from physically creating art was real enough an artist I remained and my absorption of shape and form in all its glory were a constant companion….
I was a hod carrier and worked on tarmac gangs and travelled…..Malaysia, Indonesia Spain Sweden Finland through Thailand load Cambodia Vietnam to India and up into the glorious Himalayas of Kashmir and more and spent memorable time in France renovating houses and farms all of which nourished mind heart and soul and always endulged my child like inquisitiveness for life……
I met such beautiful people from all walks of life and heard stories recounted from the pain and zeal of life from mountain tips and river journeys to fire festivals and the incredible kindness of strangers for after all life is a risky business!! And through all the pain that breaks us to the sheer beauty that sparkles our eyes that this crazy journey of life’s see’s fit to adorn us on this utter gem of a planet to who knows where and for what purpose.
I am still here, an artist. I am Danny Verno Smith…..Bring it on!
