Growing through art: Denae Smith’s journey to Black History Month exhibit

At eight years old, Denae Smith started sketching cartoon characters in her bedroom. Now, at 24, she is doing full-blown shows like the one in the Paseo District for Black History Month.

“I’ve always been an artistic kid. Fast forward to now, it has just turned a passion into a profession,” said artist Denae Smith.

Her art style is contemporary mixed media, incorporating many different art forms into her work.

“I definitely love painting more than drawing,” said Smith.

Her work has been featured in shows all over the city, which opened the door to her latest exhibit at Gallery One in the Paseo District.

“After I was a guest here, there were opportunities in 2025 to have an exhibition, and the gallery gave me this amazing opportunity for Black History Month,” said Smith.

Smith is showing some pretty impressive work, each with a message. Like the one she calls transcendent.

“So basically, it is the transition of growth and flow and energy into another,” said Smith.

She loves the 3D textures and flowers, adding resin to seal it and add a glossy effect.

“Like this one, it’s broken roses, but I sculpted each petal by hand and did one by one with plaster, so it’s like a sculpture within a canvas,” said Smith.

Like any good artist, she finds inspiration from every corner of her life.

“This one in particular, I got inspired from a mountain, and I kind of did the ridges, and just a single flower,” said Smith.

Not surprisingly, she has already sold several pieces through this exhibition.

“Like I don’t want to be famous for it, I just want to put good energy and creative energy into the world,” said Smith.

The exhibition will go on throughout the weekend. To see and purchase any of her art, visit her website https://creative-oasis.square.site/