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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 9:46 PM CDT
Smith artwork on display at Common Grounds

MATTOON — Artwork by Milburn Smith of Charleston is currently on display at Common Grounds, 1612 Charleston Ave. in Mattoon

An opening reception is planned at 4 p.m. Oct. 14. The public is invited.

The exhibit, which is sponsored by Common Grounds, the Mattoon Arts Council and West and Co., will remain on display through November.

Smith has bachelor of arts degrees in art and English from Millikin University, a master of science degree in education from Southern Illinois University, and a master of fine arts degree, with a concentration in painting and printmaking, from the University of Illinois.

He created his first painting at age 12, and painting has been his main interest since that time — 76 years later. He taught art at Granite City and in Campaign, but retired from teaching in 1977 to paint full time.

Smith’s paintings have been displayed throughout the nation. A member of the Coles County Arts Council, he formerly served as curator of the Charleston City Art exhibit.

Smith’s paintings at Common Grounds represent a wide variety of styles that makes it seem that artist did not know what he wanted to do, which, in a way, is true. Some of the paintings are more than 50 years old.

Smith said there are many ways to generate new ideas, and although he may change his style, he never changes his goal.

Smith believes an artist should not try to replicate his own work because it is so easy to turn out works that are repetitious. Instead, he said, there is joy in the unknown, which you can tackle by taking up a new idea and develop it to the time you once more “wish to feel the terror of the empty canvas.”

Smith has done small still-lifes in oil and acrylic; small water colors, both impressionistic and surrealistic; large exuberant abstracts; some collages; and his beloved Epiphany Mystery paintings. He also enjoys calligraphy and photography.

Outside of the art world, Smith enjoys gardening and chess, and played tennis for years. He and his wife, Helen, have four children and several grandchildren.

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