Carl E. Smith is a California based artist and graphic designer known for his seductive collages culled from the pages of fashion glossies. He chops, carves and rearranges model and celebrity faces and body parts, breathing new life into the polished visual vernacular of fashion advertising. Born and raised in the artist colony of Laguna Beach, California,  Smith lived and worked in Prague, Czech Republic from 1997-2004. He has shown in small and large scale shows internationally since 1998 and has recently established a fine art and graphic design studio called CES Contemporary in Laguna Beach, where he resides with his wife and son.

Carl recently took time off from his summer vacationing in Croatia to have a little Q+A with Twelv. Continue reading to find out more about this virtuoso artist. 

TWELV

Renato:  Art or Fashion? Which one inspires you more?

Carl: Fine art and glossy fashion magazines have both been very influential to me from a young age. I used to love flipping though perfume-filled magazines in stores and in office waiting rooms. The perfume samples especially have a nostalgic effect on me. I prefer a clean aesthetic in my current collage and design work. This has definitely been influenced by the sleek, colorful, and elegant presentations within fashion based packaging, advertising and editorials. At this point, however, I am more consistently inspired by the contemporary art world, in which I am more active. In my universe, fashion and art are intimate and passionate companions.

Renato: Which fashion model would be your dream muse?

Carl: I don't have a particular fashion model I envision as a muse. However, Scarlett Johansson in fashion print is a major favorite of mine. I have used her hair, eyes and lips more than most.

Renato: West Coast or East Coast? Which one brings out the best in you.

Carl: The East Coast. I love living in the small beach community of Laguna Beach in southern California and in close proximity to LA but find that frequent trips to New York are essential for me. New York is one of my favorite places on the planet and it definitely brings out the best in me.

Renato: If you were not an artist, what would have been your dream career?

Carl: Music, without a doubt.

Renato: What are your next artistic projects?

Carl: I am opening a new gallery and art organization this autumn specializing in emerging contemporary art called CES Contemporary. I deeply enjoy the process of discovering new artists, exhibiting their work, producing exhibitions and "connecting the dots" within the art scene, as much as I enjoy making art. This is a relatively new endeavor for me and I am extremely excited to embark on this path. We open our doors in late September and are currently finalizing programming for our first 12 months. The first group show will be a special one with participation of emerging contemporary artists from both coasts and Europe. Additional information is available at www.cescontemporary.com

 By Renato Amado