Tyler K. Smith

Name: Tyler K. Smith Experience: 50+ years Location: Elmira, New York Speciality: Artist- sculptor, illustrator, painter. Website: tksmithart.com

“Oh, I gave that up years ago”, a college classmate replied, when I asked about their art. This was surprising, coming from a member of the class that laughed at my Tarzan drawing in open critique. In the context of a serious fine art education, my subject material was considered infantile. As intimidating and disappointing as that was, what can I say, you need to be honest with yourself and create what you “see”.

Speaking of seeing, when was the last time you saw Rat Fink in art history class? Well, you never took my class. Now in a position to do so, I could exact my revenge, much to the chagrin of the higher ups, the gatekeepers of the High Art, historical canon. My lectures were littered with samples of low brow and pop culture. For 15 years, my mission was to expose new generations of creative types to the movement’s influencers, like Frank Frazetta, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, Mobeius, and Simon Bisley.