At First Light Artist Talk

On May 10, 2012, Ken Smith was the guest speaker at the John R Massey Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #152 meeting. It was a wonderful evening in downtown Fayetteville, Tennessee (hometown of the artist). The artist wishes to thank those who attended – both members and the general public.

Ken Smith (left) is presented with a copy of a local history book, presented by the SCV Camp #152.

His presentation was based on the creation of At First Light and all that went into the final painting. This included the research, model construction (using landscape models made from board and clay, evolving into using Google Sketch-up to understand the landscape of 1863 Knoxville), traveling to find the right type of uniforms and cannon, and the actual painting of the piece. He also discussed the history of the moment he choose to depict in this Civil War-themed painting and the current changes in the actual site.

This presentation is available to other organizations, schools, and groups Please contact us at ksmith@kensmithhistoricalart.com for more information.

Ken Smith Art Talk In Fayetteville, TN

Press Release
Submitted by Dr. James R. Armitage, Camp Commander

The John R. Massey Camp # 152
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Fayetteville, Tennessee

SCV Camp no. 152 will meet at 7PM, on May 10 in the City Municipal Auditorium. The guest speaker will be Mr. Ken Smith, who lives and works in Southwest Virginia.

Mr. Smith is a native of Lincoln County, TN, and is an avid history buff, illustrator, artist, reenactor and living historian. Work that Mr. Smith has designed, art directed or illustrated has appeared in the Print Regional Design Annual, New York Art Director’s Club, Society of Illustrators and Society of Publication Designers annuals, Graphis, Communication Arts and Print magazine. He was formerly Design Director/Vice President at Whittle Communications, and co-founder and creative director of Media-South in Knoxville, TN. He is a member of the Society of Illustrators, the Society of Publication Designers, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and the Coast Guard Art Program as well as the Garrison of Fort Loudoun (the premier French and Indian War living history program). Mr. Smith holds a BFA from the University of Tennessee, an MA from Syracuse University, and an MFA from the University of Hartford, and is currently Assistant Professor of Art at Radford University, where he teaches graphic design.

The program is free and open to anyone interested in Southern history. The regular business meeting will follow the program. For more information on the SCV go to scv.org.