Artist Linda Kyser Smith at Quail Creek

Artist Linda Kyser Smith, noted for her spontaneous and spirited portraits of women, will be on hand at “meet the artist” sessions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, in the Silver Room at the Quail Creek Resort Community Club House.

Kyser Smith will reveal her unique vision with the use of vibrant colors, dynamic brush stokes and enigmatic facial expressions.

Spectators will be able to observe her artistic process in a two-part portrait demonstration using a model, as well as an exhibition and sale of her oil paintings.

The event, sponsored by the Quail Creek sales staff, will include a coffee and Danish reception from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

There is no charge to attend.

The demonstrations are from 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A native of Texas now living and working in Santa Fe, N.M., Smith has been honing her craft for more than 20 years. She is represented in fine art galleries across the United States, featuring her whimsical and charming “bistro” paintings of ladies enjoying themselves solo and ensemble.

She has traveled studied, and painted extensively in Spain, Mexico, France, Italy, Indonesia, and Japan.

She tends to play down her rich experience and academic background.

“At some point, you have to do the work—the proof is in the painting,” Kyser Smith says.

Also, a well-known portrait artist, her favorite subjects are women and children.

“I love depicting the charms of women and the freshness of children,” she adds. “I paint from life whenever possible to capture the real beauty of the subject.”

Kyser Smith studied with such notables as Everett Raymond Kinstler, Burt Silverman, Aaron Shikler, Harley Brown, Bettina Steinke, and Milt Kobayashi.

“I love to teach classes myself, giving back some of what I learned from these remarkable artists,” she adds.

She teaches at the Scottsdale Artists School, The Andreeva Portrait Academy in Santa Fe and in her studio in Santa Fe.

Her awards include a fellowship to paint for a month in Dinan, France for the Musee de la Grande Vigne, and her “Portrait of Fern Sawyer” is in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also in the private collections of Whoopi Goldberg, Carol Burnett, and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

The Knickerbocker winner of the gold medal for oil, Kyser Smith is also an elected member of the National Arts Club and Allied Artists of America.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740