Linda Kirstin Cole Exhibiting Paintings at Smith Galleries

"Time to Go" by Linda Kirstin Cole 30"x30"

Smith Galleries, Hilton Head Island's leading gallery for 25 years is please to feature the paintings of Linda Kirsten Cole. Her vibrant paintings are inspired by the light and landscape that surrounds her. Coming from a family of artists, she now resides in the low-country of South Carolina where she is inspired by the influence of the arts, historic homes and the beauty of the sea islands.

Cole’s paintings hang here and abroad, She has painted over 100 commissioned works, taught workshops and her paintings are owned by several corporations and the Kennedy family.

Working in acrylics, the artist exaggerates color and contrast, drawing the viewer into the depth of the painting. “I have to feel that I have created an emotion and set a mood for the viewer”.

Smith Galleries is located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in the area's most award winning center, The Village at Wexford. Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. 843.842.2280

"Cheetah Over the Bridge" by Karen Hoepting at Smith Galleries

"Cheetah Over the Bridge" by Karen Hoepting at Smith Galleries, a photo by Smith Galleries on Flickr.

The art of Karen Hoepting is continually featured at Smith Galleries on Hilton Head Island, SC. The gallery features contemporary American fine craft, art, jewelry, picture framing and creative toys for children. Smith Galleries is located in suite J-II (UPSTAIRS) in the Village at Wexford at 1000 William Hilton Parkway. Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Call 800.272.3870 to purchase or for additional information. Visit Smith Galleries on the web at www.smithgalleries.com

"Cheetah Over the Bridge" is an original mixed media painting on paper by Karen Hoepting. The image measures 12 x 24 inches. Inventory # 144438. You may contact Smith Gallereis at 800.272.3870 for further information. Shown with virtual frame.

Karen obtained her Honors Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts from University of Waterloo in 1997. Her studio work at that time was divided between working with drawing mediums on paper and with acrylics or oils on canvas. Today, she combines her media together working on both canvas and paper creating brilliant, whimsical abstract images that make reference to the animals she loves.
The works of the German Expressionists and the Symbolists have always intrigued Karen. She has always felt emotionally drawn to the vivid and powerful imagery of Kathie Kollwitz, Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. Like some of these artists, Karen speaks to the viewer through symbols and stylistic motifs.


Animals have been reoccurring subjects in Karens work for several years. She grew up on a livestock farm and formed a strong attachment to animals. Today, Karen has two dogs and two cats and is an Ontario Humane Society Volunteer: ""Animals are definitely a passion for me. I feel compassion for all forms of life. Naturally, my feelings about animals [have] transferred into my art."" Her art is an exploration of animals spiritual and natural qualities and how these co-exist with industrial society. Through her primitive yet sophisticated style, she combines abstract elements together to create happy and lighthearted works.

Karen's Thoughts on Life
I believe that everyone has their own unique set of talents/gifts, as well as their own challenges/setbacks. How we cope with these challenges is what defines and evolves us - I always say, no one ever learned anything in good times! Hence that old expression, “worse for wear, but better for the expeience”. I also think that all interactions are meaningful on some level - like we all leave a mark on each other, no matter how small. Therefore, we should try to understand each other, because there is always something to learn.

Arias Elite Windchimes Now at Smith Galleries

Smith Galleries is pleased to introduce the fineset wind-chimes made in the USA. Arias Elite wind chimes are designed and made for the true wind chime connoisseur. Each of these wind chimes is carefully hand-crafted and hand-tuned. Made from aluminum tubing and finished redwood or Spanish cedar, Arias Elite wind chimes are made to be enjoyed outdoors for years. The soft, natural beauty of our wood, combined with the gentle tones and resonance of our tubes produce the classic wind chime by which all others are measured. Made in the USA!

Arias Windchimes are now featured at Smith Galleries on Hilton Head Island, SC. The gallery features contemporary American fine craft, art, jewelry, picture framing and creative toys for children. Smith Galleries is located in suite J-II (UPSTAIRS) in the Village at Wexford at 1000 William Hilton Parkway. Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Call 800.272.3870 to purchase or for additional information. Visit Smith Galleries on the web at http://www.smithgalleries.com See map here.

Handblown Glass Bowl by Scott Graham and Christy Aloysi at Smith Galleries

Handblown Glass Bowl by Scott Graham and Christy Aloysi at Smith Galleries, a photo by Smith Galleries on Flickr.

"Sun Face" by Don Drumm at Smith Galleries

"Sun Face" by Don Drumm at Smith Galleries, a photo by Smith Galleries on Flickr.

New Arrivals from Mike Smith at Smith Galleries

"Maddie and The Tree Rose" watercolor by Mike Smith at Smith Galleries, a photo by Smith Galleries on Flickr.

"Maddie and the Tree Rose" is an original watercolor by Mike Smith. The image measures 20" wide and 16 inches in height. $675

The art of Mike Smith is continually featured at Smith Galleries on Hilton Head Island, SC. The gallery features contemporary American fine craft, art, jewelry, picture framing and creative toys for children. Smith Galleries is located in suite J-II (UPSTAIRS) in the Village at Wexford at 1000 William Hilton Parkway. Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Call 800.272.3870 to purchase or for additional information. Visit Smith Galleries on the web at www.smithgalleries.com

BaaBaaZuZu Jackets at Smith Galleries on Hilton Head

BaaBaaZuZu Jackets at Smith Galleries, a photo by Smith Galleries on Flickr.

Smith Galleries on Hilton Head, SC, is the area's leading gallery for contemporary American hand-made clothing. BaaBaaZuZu is a new arrival in the gallery.

Inspiration comes in many forms. For Sue Burns, baabaazuzu founder and lead designer, inspiration came one winter day in the back of her clothes dryer. Had her husband not shrunk some of Sue’s favorite wool sweaters, it could very well be that baabaazuzu would not exist. But the fact is, he did. And out of the tragedy of Sue Burns’ too-small-to-wear, once-adored sweaters arose a multi-million dollar company.

Baabaazuzu came to be in late 1993 after Sue Burns, a gifted graphic designer, cut up the shrunken remains of her favorite sweaters, pieced the fragments together and made jackets with matching hats for her two young daughters.

The process behind baabaazuzu’s creations is an age-old process. Felting. Simply put, it’s taking wool sweaters or garments – and in baabaazuzu’s case, it’s taking items that are no longer wanted and could not sell at second-hand stores and are literally a step away from being thrown into landfills – and washing them in very hot water so as to shrink into a very dense, very strong wool “fabric.” Sue then takes the felted material, cuts them up and, with her eye-of-an-artist, purposefully pieces them back together into wearable works of art – hats, mittens, jackets, scarves, etc.

BaaBaaZuZu is available at Smith Galleries on Hilton Head, SC. Call 800.272.3870 for additional information. The gallery is located in the Village at Wexford at mile marker 10.5 on William Hilton Parkway. Gallery hours are 10 - 6 Monday through Saturday.