Meet Xenia Smith of Yucca Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xenia Smith

Hi Xenia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a creative individual my entire life. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and I had this idea in my head that after high school I would go to art school in L.A and explore all of this creativity in me – but that didn’t happen. I ended up at the University of California Santa Cruz (which is an amaaazing school – and I loved every minute there) and I got my B.A in Language Studies.

After that I said, “alright well, probably won’t be using this degree now what?”

I got a job at a local frame and art supply store and quickly started drawing, painting and exploring all these different mediums – a little frantic sometimes I think I felt like I was making up for lost time. I started putting artwork. up in cafes and coffee shops around town wherever someone would let me and slowly dipped my toes into tabling at craft fairs and markets.

Fast forward to now – I’m living and working out of Joshua Tree. I still love vending at markets around the high desert and also in and around Venice Beach/L.A like Venice Fest back in June.

Most recently I participated in the HWY62 Art Tours.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think my biggest struggle was feeling like an imposter, and having to prove to myself that I was an artist and good enough to call myself an artist. Part of that was having these really great ideas in my head – imagery and scenes for paintings- and then I sit down to paint and they don’t materialize in the same way. ‘

The key is patience, understanding that your creative voice and style takes time to develop. If you let go of the concept of perfection, your true artistic hand flow more freely.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Foremost I would call myself a painter – it’s what I enjoy the most and I think my viewers enjoy seeing that side of my work as well. I think the imagery I paint, most recently, is very silly and fun and relatable. I paint a lot of food and images that just feel like home.

But like any artist, I work in multiple mediums and they all inspire each other. I love film photography, and I also create these textile/patchwork paintings that I really like to make.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I recently had my first solo show back in September – so I’m hoping there will be more to follow. My roots are still deep in art markets and fairs – I love being able to connect with the public and talk about my art in that setting it’s so different from a gallery environment.
I hope to keep doing these but maybe travel more and farther for them. You can usually find me in Joshua Tree or Venice Beach area but I would love to go out of state for events, traveling is always good for creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xeniasmith.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniazmith/

Image Credits
Luisa Lee