Norma Robinson Smith, an award winning artist, created 1,000 works in various media at Los Angeles area galleries and non-profits. Included in her vast collection, using various media, are abstracts, still lifes, landscapes, nudes, portraits, collages, sketches, musicians, dancers, street scenes, landscapes.. Norma started painting in watercolors, and would later grow into using acrylics, oils, pen and ink, and gouache, in addition to mixed media, assemblage, and collage.
“We had so many paintings in our house when I was growing up that I really couldn’t move around safely unless I watched every step I took,” said her son Andy Smith. “I could not lean back on our sofa without getting my hair full of oil from an oil painting that would be balanced precariously on the edge of the sofa!” Andy also said “My mother, Norma, had mental illness, and she also used her zealous creativity in her painting as a form of therapy. Without her art, I’m pretty sure she would not have been able to be functional at the same level.”
Smith received the Salute America- There’s a Winner in You – Lifetime Achievement Award for the visual arts at an event in her honor at the senior residence she was living at. She was honored for her lifelong commitment to making the world lovelier with her art, music and dance. The award to Smith was presented by James “Pasqual” Bettio, California Senior Legislature’s retired “Senior Senator,” and Senior Senator Jim Levy. The Senior Legislature, was established in 1980 to advocate for older citizens’ needs.
The City of Agoura Hills presented Norma with a proclamation in her honor in 2007, recognizing her lifetime artistic achievements.
Norma was chosen as Artist of the Year by the Park La Brea Arts Council.
Norma said it is “fantastic” to be recognized for her artwork, and she talked about combining painting with charity. “I liked going on my bike and sketching people on the streets who had no homes,” Smith said. “I’d leave them money- I felt so sorry for them.”
“She painted for the sheer love of art,” said her daughter-in-law, Ellen Smith. “She was always changing (her artistic style), always experimenting,” she said. Some of Smith’s multimedia works combine paper, lace and even earrings, Ellen Smith said. “She painted for the sheer love of art. She was always changing (her artistic style), always experimenting.” Smith’s grandson, Micah, said his grandmother is a “wonderful woman” and “really funny.” “I’ve never seen a woman that age make so many jokes,” Micah said.
Smith’s son, Andy, said he was pleased that the event brought “art into the world of seniors.” “Research has shown that art and creativity can dramatically improve seniors’ quality of life and health,” he said. “Art provides people with ways to cope with what’s happening in life through self expression . . . patients engaged in creative activities require less pain medication and experience fewer bouts of depression,” he added. “Recognizing the creative endeavors of seniors is good medicine for all.”
The visual arts are not Smith’s only focus. An accomplished pianist, she also played the viola professionally in string trios and quartets with her late husband, Philip, and sang in choirs. She performed ethnic dances for a variety of community groups. “I dance to any kind of music,” Smith said. “I like to make up comedy dances.”
Norma Robinson Smith passed on a few years ago. Her husband, Philip Smith, a professional musician, composer and music teacher, also passed away. The couple were married nearly 50 years. Norma and Philip’s only child, Andy Smith, administers and publicizes Norma’s vast art legacy, in honor of her life’s works and passion. He hopes and dreams that many people are able to appreciate and enjoy her art in the decades ahead! !
Norma Robinson Smith has exhibited or displayed at the following venues:
Advocartsy Gallery, Los Angeles
Agoura Hills Senior Retreat, Agoura Hills
Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks
Barnsdale Park, Los Angeles
Beverly Hills Art League
Drulu Gallery, Los Angeles
Etz Chaim Temple, Thousand Oaks
First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Claremont – One Woman Show, July, 1972
Gallery 825, Los Angeles, 1998 Open. Juror: Gronk. Dec. 12 1998 to Jan. 8, 1999
Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles
Park La Brea Arts Council, Los Angeles
River Community Church, Oxnard
Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo
United Methodist Church, Thousand Oaks
West Beach Gallery
Westmoreland Lofts, Los Angeles
Various other venues