Short Bio
Katiana Smith is painter based in Palm Beach County. Using bold colors, Smith paints the African Diaspora, more specifically, people of Haitian descent. Her artwork focusses on facial expressions and the stories that people tell through their eyes, poise, and features. Smiths desire to paint people of color stems from her upbringing but now serves as a statement of social justice, a reminder that the African Diaspora has a place in the American story. She received training from the New World School of Arts, a magnet program in middle school, but her talent is innate. Smith stopped painting for 15 years and has returned to the brush. Now as an emerging artist, she exhibits and does live paintings in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Presently, she is involved in community initiatives that celebrate South Florida's diversity while also working on commissions and shows. The why? It's simple. Katiana has been closed off from art for far too long and now she's rediscovered her love for it and can't ever imagine living her life without it.
Statement
My art represents the people, culture, and history of my roots through realism. As a first-generation Haitian-American, my primary focus is to document the stoic, misrepresented, and underappreciated country called Haiti as well as connect viewers to my perception of Haiti and the people of the African diaspora. Each piece is a labor of love, paying homage as I attempt to shift the dialogue towards an appreciation for the African diaspora everywhere.
People are the greatest subjects of my paintings. Their expressions bring the viewer in to tell a story, spark emotion, and incite dialogue and appreciation for the hidden beauties and strength of a people.
Resume / CV
artist statement and bio
By: Katiana Jarbath Smith
artist statement
My art represents the people, culture, and history of my roots through realism. As a first-generation Haitian-American, my primary focus is to document the stoic, misrepresented, and underappreciated country called Haiti as well as connect viewers to my perception of Haiti and the people of the African diaspora. Each piece is a labor of love, paying homage as I attempt to shift the dialogue towards an appreciation for the African diaspora everywhere.
People are the greatest subjects of my paintings. Their expressions bring the viewer in to tell a story, spark emotion, and incite dialogue and appreciation for the hidden beauties and strength of a people.
bio
Katiana Smith is a painter based in Palm Beach County. Using bold colors, Smith paints the African Diaspora, more specifically, people of Haitian descent. Her artwork focusses on facial expressions and the stories that people tell through their eyes, poise, and features. Smiths desire to paint people of color stems from her upbringing but now serves as a statement of social justice, a reminder that the African Diaspora has a place in the American story.
She received training from the New World School of Arts, a magnet program in middle school, but her talent is innate. Smith stopped painting for 15 years and has returned to the brush. Now as an emerging artist, she exhibits and does live paintings in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Presently, she is involved in community initiatives that celebrate South Florida's diversity while also working on commissions and shows.
The why? It's simple. Katiana has been closed off from art for far too long and now she's rediscovered her love for it and can't ever imagine living her life without it.