'Claude Decrepney' Falmouth sailor painting by local artist Gary Ray Smith. On canvas
 
Dimensions - 50 x 50cm
 
Gary Ray Smith was born in Essex, where he studied Fashion and Textiles in Southend-on-Sea before earning a Degree in Painting from Chelsea College of Art. He relocated to Cornwall in 2002.
 
Much of Gary's work addresses themes of grief and loss, yet his creations, whether painted or knitted, are typically positive, joyous, and celebratory. Angels frequently appear in his work, symbolizing either the process of coping with loss or the creation of a fantastical world for his angelic grandson, Florian. His current portfolio is a diverse blend of painting, knitted textiles, children's book illustration, hand-painted signs, and illustrations for businesses and products. Gary finds that these various projects inspire one another, and his background as a graphic designer influences his paintings, incorporating elements of hand lettering, typography, fairground, and tattoo art. He also has a deep appreciation for "kidlit" art and pop art.