BRIEF HISTORY
Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, TJ Smith fell deeply in love with the natural world he explored daily. That passion has taken him in every direction on land, in a quest to experience the continual awe of nature. Every time he is outdoors he feels more alive and attuned to our Earth's vibration. All of his work is led by that care, respect and playful relationship with nature. He categorizes his work as multidisciplinary, yet bound by the methodology that concept-driven craft leads to thought provoking objects. His creative outlets flow between the techniques of printmaking, illustration and large-scale public paintings. Aesthetically speaking much of his work represents the natural world through a lens of geometric illustration styles and naturalist observations. He strives for purity in all his craft, with remnants of the artist's hand grounding each piece back to the organics of process.
TJ is also the Founder & Designer of Stray Wild, a brand that aims to restore our love for the outdoors through goods and services.
statement
Based in the high desert lands of Grand Junction, Colorado, TJ Smith is a multidisciplinary artist rooted in the belief that concept-driven craft yields thought-provoking outcomes. His creative process is a synergetic interplay between printmaking, painting, and large-scale public art, reflecting the natural world through a colorfully contemporary lens.
TJ strives for purity in his craft, allowing remnants of the artist's hand to ground each piece back to the organics process. His work aims to evoke a sense of place and adornment for the natural world, inviting viewers to engage with the message in the same way. Through his art, he seeks to create a dialogue that bridges the gap between nature and modernity, embedding each piece with a sense of authenticity and connection to the wild.
CV
EDUCATION
2011 - La Roche - Pittsburgh, PA - BS in Graphics and Communication Design
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 - The Art Center “Contemporary Portrayals of the Natural World” - Grand Junction, CO
2023 - The Wilder Gallery “Outdoor Inspired Works” - Grand Junction, CO
2022 - The Wilder Gallery “Once Upon A Stream” - Grand Junction, CO
2022 - The Wilder Gallery “A Howl For Peace” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Kiln Coffee Bar “Desert Gold” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - Kiln Coffee Bar “Love In The Time Of Covid” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - 750 Main “Inaugural 750” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - High Desert Authentiques “Grit & Glare” - Grand Junction, CO
2019 - Kiln Coffee Bar “The American West” - Grand Junction, CO
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 - Mesa County Libraries “Our Shared Environment in Times of Challenge and Change” - Grand Junction, CO
2023 - Breck Creates “Our Shared Environment in Times of Challenge and Change” - Breckenridge, CO
2023 - Denver State Capitol “Colorado Art + Science Environment Fellows” - Denver, CO
2021 - The Wilder Gallery “Soft Opening Desert Rock Show” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Downtown Main Street Mural “Hum Of The Grand Valley” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - City Hall “Artists in Residence Group Show” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - The Art Center “Mesa County Libraries Artist In Residence” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - Confluence Studios “Studio Members Show” - Grand Junction, CO
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
2024 - Counseling & Education Center “Tranquility Through Nature ” - Grand Junction, CO
2024 - The Kaart Building “Our Desert” - Grand Junction, CO
2023 - The Grand Junction Greenery “Icon of the Valley” - Grand Junction, CO
2022 - Old Mose Mural “King of the Grizzlies” - Cañon City, CO
2022 - Clifton Elementary School Ground Mural “Colorful Clifton” - Clifton, CO
2022 - Alt Coworking Mural “A Better Alternative” - Ridgway, CO
2022 - City Haul “Artist In Residence Group Show” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - 5th & Main St. Mural “Hum Of The Grand Valley” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Lot 702 Panel Murals “Sun Over Us All” & “Music Of Water” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Lot 702 Guardrail Mural “Rail Line Flow” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - 734 Building Mural “Zentech River” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Alt Coworking Mural “Power to Community” - Grand Junction, CO
2021 - Alt Coworking Mural “Magic Happens in The Space” - Montrose, CO
2020 - Two Rivers Convention Center “The American West” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - The Avalon Theater “Sun Focused” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - Mesa Jewelers Mural ”Grown In The Desert” - Grand Junction, CO
2020 - Alt Coworking Mural “Power to Community” - Telluride, CO
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
Colorado Art + Science Environment Fellows Program
Artist expectance into fellowship program - November 2022 - October 2023
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
970West Studio Artist-in-Residence – Mesa County Libraries, Grand Junction, CO, 2020
During his residency, TJ held public workshops on printmaking, collage, and bookmaking, while hosting community meet-and-greet events.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ORGANIZATIONS BOARD MEMBER
Creative District, Grand Junction – Board Member, 2020–Present
AIGA Reno/Tahoe – Member, 2011–2016
