AsWasIsNow Ltd was established in 2020 to promote and showcase the extensive body of artwork of Kent-based artist Dave Smith.
Dave was an extremely humble artist who loved nothing more than to put pen, pencil or paintbrush to paper in his modest home studio, seldom without his loyal dogs, at his feet. Dave rarely publicised his work; his passion found him painstakingly researching his subjects, and hiding behind his tools for hours, months and even years on the pieces he was creating. This investment in and dedication to his art did not allow him much time for exhibitions. He simply painted and filed his work safely away in the shed, loft or modest portfolio.
Sadly, Dave passed in September 2020. Whilst coming to terms with the grief of his passing, Dave’s family were overwhelmed with the legacy he left. Realising the sheer scope of his body of work, they decided to create AsWasIsNow Ltd to allow others to enjoy and appreciate Dave’s work, rather than it being hidden away in the confines of the shed!
As you look through his work, you will discover Dave’s extensive and incredible talent. Some pieces are illustrations of stories and subjects very personal to him and, regrettably, his inspiration behind these will never to be told. However, the joy of art is that everyone identifies a different meaning and take on what is right in front of them. Other pieces are illustrations of stories written by others, topics, people and places that Dave very much loved or was passionate about. Some are risqué, others controversial – be prepared for this!
In the later years of Dave’s painting, he created AsWasIsNow. In his words:
“‘AsWasIsNow’ started with the conjecture as to whether it was possible to draw across time, and present it in a single, composite image, which I have since come to refer to as time-mapping.
Rich in history, and topographical diversity, the confederation of the Liberty of Cinque Ports with its nine hundred-year legacy seemed to be an ideal subject.
Very quickly, one experimental drawing turned into a full-time occupation, researching, visiting, taking notes, sketches and reference photographs, gradually building a mental picture of coastal towns and communities I thought I knew.
Only when I have built a mental image of a specific location do I start the time-map. From this point forward it is a continuous drawing process – a mental (physical and literal) walkabout, where the nib of my pen retraces the image in my mind – together with constant referral to the body of research I have compiled throughout the mapping process.”
Not all Dave’s work can be catalogued under ‘AsWasIsNow’, very little actually, but what better name to ensure his legacy goes on.
We very much hope you enjoy his work as much as he enjoyed researching and creating it. We have captured his vast scope of work in the following categories:
Acrylic – Watercolour – Illustrations – Digital – The Scroll
In the words of Dave Smith…
About the Artist
‘Life is drawing to a conclusion’
Dave Smith was formally trained in fine art and printmaking at the Manchester and Chelsea Schools of Art and is an alumnus of the University of Art London. As a postgraduate student he exhibited nationally and internationally and was awarded a scholarship to work and study in Italy.
However, this had a profound effect and was, ‘blown away by the magnificence and scale of the work he saw. On return to the UK with nothing to declare but a severe loss of confidence, he decided to enter the world of commercial art and became a jobbing illustrator, comic-strip and story board artist. Desperate Dan and Snow White replaced his more lofty artistic aspirations, dashed by the genius of Michelangelo and Piero Della Francesca. During that early career period, mastering the rigorous drafting techniques of Disney and the likes, he learnt as much about drawing as the previous seven years of formal training.’
In the latter period of his commercial career, Dave worked alongside technicians, statisticians and scientists adapting his storyboarding experience to ‘mind mapping’ product development programmes, ‘what if’ business scenarios and social/cultural trends for large corporate organisations – and now has adapted and incorporated fifty years of commercial and fine art drawing experience into his most recent, ongoing projects.
“From attending evening life-drawing classes as a sixteen-year old to the present, the drawn image has been the foundation and means of living, albeit under the numerous guises of illustrator, visualiser, storyboard artist and art director.
An alumnus of Chelsea School of Art now retired from commercial life, time and line are spent endeavouring to fulfil advice offered on graduation, ‘never stop drawing’ – and so it continues with ‘dip and scratch’ nib and digital pen across a broad range of subjects.”
