Kirkland Thomas Smith is a self-employed artist who specializes in many mediums and creates stunning portraits. Born in Charleston, SC, and currently living in Columbia, Smith received her BA in Studio Art at the University of South Carolina. She is currently a resident artist at Stormwater Studios.
Smith’s artwork is influenced by everything that surrounds her: the books that she reads, the music that she listens to, the lectures and sermons that she hears and the conversations that she has in encounters with friends and strangers. She takes notice of the way in which light falls on an object, allowing us to see the beauty of the form. These passions of hers are a trend throughout her work.
Smith has used her passions to take on a specifically important role in the Supper Table – she has created hand-drawn charcoal portraits for each of the 12 featured women represented at the table. Each of these portraits, as Smith says, represents the women at an early point in their lives when they just started to “break the glass ceilings and really be inspirations for the women that followed them.”
For Smith, one of the most special parts of this project is how many amazing women are involved. Not only are each of the 12 featured women unique and “walking different paths” in their lives, but every artists’ hands involved in this project are those of female creators.
Smith is passionate about all art forms, believing that they play a vital role in not only educating but in humanizing and connecting with each other in our communities. She believes that art helps us make sense of this complex world that we live in, and it’s clear that these portraits resonate this belief.
Want a copy of these portraits? Right now, you have two opportunities to own copies of these remarkable art works. On our Kickstarter campaign, at two of our premium levels, your donations will not only help fund our project and go directly to artists like Kirkland, but you will receive copies of these portraits for yourself.
At the $5,000 level, you will receive a copy of all 12 portraits, of which only 5 copies are being made – ever. These portraits would look absolutely stunning and empowering on any home or office wall.
At the $1,000 level, you will receive one copy of the woman of your choice’s portrait, but that’s not all. You will also have a plaque bearing your name placed with the place-setting representing said woman at our installation, four tickets to opening night, our book Setting the Supper Table, and a t-shirt/tote bag bearing art about and a quote from Eartha Kitt.
The Kickstarter only has 12 days left, and once these portraits are gone, they’re gone, so if you’re interested, head over to the campaign page and make your donation. Smith herself just made a video about these portraits as our newest update, which you can check out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thejasperproject/the-supper-table/posts/2569961