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In Focus | Shandra Smith of Shandra Smith Art

Shandra Smith is a local mixed media artist who believes strongly in individuality. She is someone who has looked at the world around her and the conformity and said, “Not me.” So, in her life and in her art, Shandra strives to express originality and colour. She has taken those values and created some great pieces – and made them affordable too. Read on to discover Shandra Smith In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"I could use this in a mixed media piece" when coming across anything colourful - play-doh, craft objects, streamers, etc. (things my husband would describe as junk!)

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Probably Feist, I love her music, lyrics and her creativity. Seems like a pretty cool chick to have a cup of tea with.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Well it's not an official award, but means a lot to me - certificates and cards my kids give me that say "Best Mama".

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
It would be someone from my personal history.... like one of my grandparents living on the Prairies in the early 1900s.

Who inspires you?
Anyone who thinks "outside the box". Also, moms who have a healthy balance between work and family life.

"Altered Reality"

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Expanding my business by connecting with more online print-on-demand companies.
2) Take our kids to Europe to see where their Dad grew up, and also where we lived together in Scotland.
3) Swim across the lake.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
"The Love Boat"

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I would love to be sitting on a porch with Fergus, and we are old and grey and wrinkled, and our kids / grandkids are all around us.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about self-expression, whether in my art or my personal style. It's not good for us to be clones of each other. Also, putting art on everyday items (iPhone cases, t-shirts, pillow cases, notecards), so that people can enjoy a burst of colour without having to spend lots of $$ on an original piece of art. I would also add nature and music to this list of passions.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Well, two of my favourite days would have to be the birth of my children - Zarya, 8 and Waylon, 5. After that, I would say any day that's slow and easy, hanging out with them and my hubby, Fergus.


Throw Pillow Art

What has been your proudest accomplishment?

Hmmm, can't pick one. I am proud to be developing my own sense of style and career as an artist. I am also proud of my 20-year relationship to Fergus, to be a mom of 2 kids, and coping successfully with a chronic illness (fibromyalgia).

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
Cactus Club on a date night, or Montana's with the whole family.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Anything outside. Festivals, Parks Alive events, or just hanging out by the lake.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Shandra Smith Art

What does your business/organization do?
I'm a mixed media artist whose style is bold, vibrant and colourful. I sell my designs through online print-on-demand companies, who print them on various items.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.shandrasmith.com

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/shandra-smith-art#!/pages/Shandra-Smith-Art/108140192580901

What is your Twitter account?
twitter.com/shandra_smith

What is your mission?
My mission is to add a bit of colour to people's lives - could be on their walls or on everyday items like cellphone / laptop cases and clothing.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
I would like to be working with more print-on-demand companies.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Carrie Harper

Gellatly Bay

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
- Unique eye-catching art
- Art that's available to everyone, not just the rich who can afford original art
- My art seems to resonate with many people, even those who say they "don't like art"

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I would hope the investors were "street-smart" and not just "book-smart", so they could help us get out of the elevator quickly :) I guess we would talk about strategies on how to get out, lol!

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Not much, maybe the HOV lane on Harvey Avenue.... and the sequence of lights so you're not stopping so much.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Many things! The setting, scenery, parks and the people. It's big enough to have everything, but small enough that you run into people when you are out and about. Kelowna / West Kelowna also has a thriving arts community.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
In addition to colorful abstracts, I'm an occasional "Instagrammer", and I have many beautiful shots of nature taken in West Kelowna / Kelowna and Okanagan settings in general. Instacanv.as prints them onto canvasses, framed prints, cards, iPhone cases, prisms etc. You can view them here - https://my.instacanv.as/gallery

Links to buy my designs on various products -

http://society6.com/shandrasmith

http://www.modernmural.com/WallArt#/?u=shandrasmith

http://www.instacanv.as/shandrasmith

http://www.zazzle.com/shandra+smith+gifts

http://shop.oneandonlyheadboards.com/products/meditation

"Bloom"

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!



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