Today we’d like to introduce you to Cinque Smith.
Hi Cinque, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I have been creative all my life. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, my imagination knew no bounds. I was fixated as a youth on everything from cartoons, and comic books, to video games. My journey to where I am now coming with knowing that I have a strong support system. My family and close friends have been a constant source of inspiration. As a 40-year-old artist, I work hard to develop works of art that resonate with the audience. They are essentially invited into my collective paradigm and are thrust into a vast euphoric sense of commonality with the subject matter. That’s what I want to bring people when they see my work. Over the last year, an evolving extension of my journey was being transfixed on overcoming my insecurities and pushing boundaries. I don’t seek escapism but immense accountability with the viewer. My work is a constant search to best interpret my views on the human condition. I don’t limit myself to one style, medium, or said technique because my life is not beholden to one ideology. My inspiration and ideas change, but the search for elevated humanity is never-ending. I hope my work conveys a sense of awe and emotional engagement to the viewer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
It has never been a smooth road; quite frankly, I learn more from my mistakes than my own wins. In the beginning, there was imposter syndrome. Not knowing if I would fit in, feeling like l didn’t belong at times. I thought I was not talented enough to compete. It took years to find my style of trial and error and study what I did right and wrong by being obsessive. The smallest nuance in a painting can make or break the composition or mood of the piece. As I ventured further into my craft, I wrestled with content vs. context. I have such a wide palate of interest and subject matter that I can tend to overwhelm myself with a bit of anxiety. Some projects I learned don’t have to have symbolism behind them but rather an exploration of the process. Others need a theme and focal point, and by doing so, you can create a narrative. Size, scale, and pricing were a struggle. Finding that happy medium where your work is of such high quality that you do not necessarily demand a high price but know your worth. Be consistent by working hard, studying, and learning to take advice and critique. Some shows, some collectors, and people with whom you do business will have bad repercussions, and you have to take that as a learning curve. Fostering relationships and ending others have also carried me along my journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Realism and abstraction are where I study the most and work from. I work in various mediums, from pencil to charcoal, ink, acrylic, watercolor, and more. I paint the human condition. I paint musicians, science fiction; you name it. I am most proud that my family gets to see me achieve my goals and take them to new heights; my sense of the moment and pushing myself to unseen levels set me apart from others. I don’t believe in limits or boundaries on my creativity, and I hope I inspire others to do the same.
How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
I had friends and played outside like most in my age group at that time, but I also loved being to myself and keeping my own counsel. I drew all the time on pretty much whatever I could, read a lot of comic books, and played a ton of video games. I was always inquisitive and liked to work hard. Growing up, a large family surrounded me, so those experiences hold a special place in my heart. There was so much love and positive input from those around me. It helped shape the individual I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theartofcinque.com/
- Instagram: @cinqueart
