February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Maurice Buckley, president of the Ireland Chamber of Commerce, was thoroughly impressed with what he saw. He invited the County Down man to exhibit his work at the Waldorf Astoria during the recent Celtic Ball there.
Smyth sold two of the four paintings he brought over and donated $3,000 from the combined asking price to the Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Program.
“It was a real honor,” said the 40-year-old artist. “I jumped at the chance as it was a dream of mine to exhibit in the States for a long time.”
Smyth, who was inspired by California’s landscapes during his youthful travels, got an invite to show his work at a show in Hollywood earlier this year. It was postponed, however, at the last moment.
“I used some of the work I’d done for this in the New York show,” he said. “It took four months to complete the work and figure out the logistics.”
Much as he enjoys visits to New York and other major cities, Smyth has no desire to be part of an arts scene. Instead, he’s quite happy living with his partner Rachel Holmes in a rural idyll.
“Having experienced student life attending the University of Ulster in Belfast and the Northern Ireland art scene, I am thankful for every day I’ve spent living out here on the coast for the last 14 years,” he said.
“My surroundings influence my work and I feel totally at one with where I am.
“Where we live is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, if not the world – in the middle of a massive bay,” Smyth added, “peninsula and lighthouse to the left and the famous Mourne Mountains to the right. We get incredible dawns and stunning sunsets.”
For more information about George H. Smyth’s work go to www.georgehsmyth.com.