J and S Smith Studio

J and S Smith Studio is the creative union of husband and wife artists John and Stephanie Smith. Together they bring many years of experience teaching art in public schools, and now, as they approach retirement, they are embracing a new chapter as full time artists.

John works primarily in 3 dimensions, wheel throwing expressive forms in clay. Stephanie creates primarily in 2 dimensions, with an eclectic aesthetic of paintings and fiber art. Their shared studio is a reflection of their life long passion for art, education, and collaboration.

With a renewed focus on their personal artistic voices, John and Stephanie are committed to producing thought-provoking work that reflects the world around them. More than just a studio, Smith Studios is a celebration of creativity, partnership, and the joy of making art together.

John Smith is a full-time art instructor near Indianapolis with 38 years of experience teaching at the high school level. With a deep passion for both education and artistic expression, John is now channeling his extensive experience into creating work that reflects his journey as both an artist and educator.

Working primarily in clay, John specializes in sgraffito-a technique that involves carving through a colored surface to reveal the natural clay beneath. His approach to sgraffito is both methodical and expressive, as he carefully organizes carved segments to reveal complex imagery, allowing the remaining areas of color to continue contributing to the overall composition. The result is work that is rich in texture, layered in meaning, and reflective of a life devoted to visual storytelling.

Stephanie Smith taught art in public schools where she emphasized focus, discipline, and artistic rigor in the classroom. Now retired, she brings that same dedication to her personal studio practice.

In her own work, color and movement have always taken center stage. Stephanie approaches painting as an evolving process-often beginning without a fixed outcome in mind. Through daily practice and ongoing self-critiques, she pushes herself to discover visual harmony and emotional resonance in each piece. Her paintings unfold over time, guided by intuition and a desire to uncover her individual artistic voice in every expressive painting.

IN THE SHOP PORTION OF OUR PAGE, YOU WILL FIND NO WORKS REPRESENTED AS WE ARE SHOWING AT THE PENROD ARTS FAIR ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH. JUST GETTING STARTED WITH THIS ALL, I THOUGHT IT BEST TO NOT PUT ANYTHING TO SELL ON LINE WITH MOST OF MY WORK GOING TO THE SALE. AFTER PENROD, MY REMAINING WORK CAN BE FOUND IN THE “SHOP” PORTION OF OUR WEB SITE. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT PENROD. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY