J W SMITH SMUDGE

My name is John William Smith, or as some people know me, Smudge. I was born 1976, in Bishop Auckland, and grew up in Spennymoor. I have been painting, drawing and sketching since primary school, and been producing work for exhibitions since 2008. I find inspiration in our local history and culture of living and working in the north east of England, in a bygone era, which is slowly disappearing. My “Smudge” artwork is a more quirky style which evolved at a later date and is more of a reflection of my life and experiences, hopes and dreams. Men with flat caps and women in headscarfs, often appear, and “Smudge” always has his hood up.