Spotlight on... Derek Covington Smith

The one who wants to change the world

​Welcome to the Spotlight On… brought to you by The Little Yellow Building!

The goal of this blog is to celebrate Mississippi Artists of all walks of life providing them with a platform to share about themselves and their work. I have invited artists from all across the state to take the Spotlight and tell us a little more about themselves.

To get this thing kicked off I figured I better put up or shut up. If I was asking others to share they should know a little more about me. Here is my interview, I hope you enjoy. You can see more of my work at www.DerekCovingtonSmith.com or follow me @DerekCovingtonSmith on social. 

Q: What part of Mississippi do you live or work in?
A: I live in Brookhaven. It's about 60 miles south of Jackson.

Q: Tell us about your background in Art.
A: I'm mostly self taught with a few college classes and some private lessons my parents were able to get me into when I was in highschool. After I left Mississippi in 2002 I didn't start taking art seriously again until 2013 when I moved to Orlando, Fl for the third time. I took a bartending job so I could have my days to study everything I felt I was missing. I had tried this before but the internet wasn't the wealth of information it had become by then. I had the opportunity to move to New York, and spent a few years up there learning a whole new ball game in the art world. Now I have moved back to my hometown and opened a studio gallery space where I'm still in constant search of learning. 

Q: What Mediums do you work in?
A: Most of my personal work is in acrylics, but you don't have to search hard to find watercolors or pastels. I try to work with whatever I'm drawn to at the time.

Q: Who or what are your biggest influences and why?
A: I am heavily influenced by the late 80's early 90's color palette, and I love anything with a retro nod.

Q: What are you reading right now?
A: Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel

Q: What have you been listening to lately? 
A: Lots of podcasts. Anything to do with true crime, history or the art world 

Q: How would you say you navigate through Mississippi's Art scene?
A: Not very well at the moment, but I'm working on it!

The Moon and Her Cat - Derek Covington Smith 2018

Q:  Are you following any trends in Art?
A: Always! Right now it's not a trend as much as it is out of necessity. I'm fascinated by how artists have been handling the pandemic. Not just the emotions they are pouring into their art but the innovative ways they are coming up with to share their message.

Q: What do you think is integral to the work of an Artist?
A: For me it has been honesty with my internal conflicts. I am my harshest critic on all levels, and have to remind myself of that. 

Freedom Taken for Profit - Derek Covington Smith 2016

Q: What role do you see your art playing in society? 
A: Maybe one of connection? I'm not sure. I tend to pick my subject matter based on what reaction it can pull out of me. My hope is that it can elicit some connection with the audience, connecting them to me and each other.

Q: What Art do you identify with most and why?
A: The art that is being created now is breaking rules left and right. As someone who has struggled with the lack of confidence in experimentation, I really enjoy seeing artists do anything to accomplish their final vision.

Q: What has been your scariest experience in the Art world?
A: Definitely being in New York and having no clue what you're doing. Talk about some fast education.
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Q: What has been your most positive experience in the Art world?
A: I can't say it has been just one. I'm blessed to have been found by this really cool pop culture gallery called THNK1994. Through them I've been able to show all over. Who would have thought I would have work in LA for the ABC network celebrating Grey's Anatomy? That's crazy!

Q: What memorable responses have you had to your work?
A: I did an installation called #LeaveYourBaggage where people could mentally recognize the thoughts weighing them down in life. They would write it down and leave it behind. The responses were overwhelming. 

Q: Name 3 artists that you would like to be compared to.
A: Hmmmmm... If Monet, John Singer Sargent and Andy Warhol had a neurotic little art baby...

Q: What is the best piece of advice that you have been given?
A: Inspiration will find you working - Pablo Picasso

Q: What is some advice that you would give to a younger you?
A: Hard work beats talent if talent won't work hard - Me

Nomi Malone - Derek Covington Smith 2019

Q: How do you know when something you have been working on is finished?
A: They tell me when I see them the next morning. I can work on a painting forever, but it's not until I see it with fresh eyes until I know.

Q: Do you have any habits that help your creative process?
A: Limiting my time on social media. I can get lost.

​Q: How would you classify or categorize your work?
A: Neo Expressionism 2020X

Q: Why do you think Art is important?
A: You can pick any given point in history and look at the art being made to learn about the culture. We are historians leaving behind visual markers to what our time here was about. That has to be important.

Q: What is your most important tool in your studio?
A: My IPad

Q: Is there an element of art that you enjoy working with most?
A: Definitely color

Nancy v Tonya - Derek Covington Smith 2017

Q:  What do you do to stay motivated?
A: I think about what happens if I don't.

Q: Has rejection ever affected your creative process?
A: Boy has it. When I was still new in the game a rejection could shut me down for weeks. Now I'm hurt for a couple of hours and get back to work. It use to take me a lot longer to realize it had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with what they were looking for. If the two things don't match that's ok.

Q: If you could live during any artistic period what would it be and why?
A: I think the 30's & 40's in New York. It was a rough time but the impact that era had is spectacular.

Q: Do you ever hide hidden messages or meanings in your work?
A: Not really. There are always meanings in my work, they just happen to be less obvious to some than others.

Q: Do you think creativity is human nature or learned behavior?
A: I think that like anything else you can learn technique and hone skill. There is that spark that some are born with, but it can be lost without drive.

Q: Do you ever feel like you have to censor your work or ideas?
A: All the time. I have some really raw ideas, but haven't really been brave enough yet.

Q: If you were no longer able to use the mediums you do now, what would you turn to?
A: Probably pottery and sculpture. I want to add ceramics to my studio one day.

Q: Are your favorites from your work typically the ones liked by your audience?
A: Almost never. I really appreciate my work when I've pushed my own comfort levels and that's not always what people are used to. I keep a balance now of work I show to the public and a private collection.

Q: What has your greatest sacrifice been for your craft?
A: Relationships

Q: Are there any other channels you use to express your creativity?
A: I love to sing, but only to my dog. I'm always on the lookout for new things to try.

Q: How do you differ from other Artists in your genre?
A: I do me the best that I can, and I'll let history figure that out.

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Until next time!

Check out some of our other interviews by clicking below