Bio

Bradford James Smith was born in Long Beach California in 1983. He received his BFA in Illustration at Cal State University Fullerton in 2005 and his MFA in Painting from Laguna College of Art and Design in 2016. Since he was a child he received recognition for his artistic talents in several art contests and was also awarded scholarships for his work.  Upon graduating college he worked as a freelance commercial artist designing toys and packaging for clients such as Burger King, Kohl’s, Kellogg’s and Crayola. On the side he took on private commissions to broaden his artistic pursuits. He worked as a production artist with an independent film company, The Juniper Sequence, developing original scripts, storyboards and animations. He has shown in a number of art shows and festivals such as the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach where he displayed and sold his drawings, paintings and screen-prints. He was on the board of directors or the San Dimas Festival of Arts, worked as a security guard, art instructor and installation crew for the Laguna Art Museum. He has participated in many independent group art shows and ran an art gallery, B Minus Studios, in Santa Ana. Just prior to coming to Laguna beach, he worked as a set photographer for Hallmark movies and television. He mostly splits his time as an artist, endurance runner and as a high school art teacher.

Education

●  2016                 MFA- Painting, Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Beach, CA  

●  2011                  Printmaking, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA

●  2008 ­             The Illustration Masterclass, Amherst, MA

●  2005                BFA- Illustration, Cal State University Fullerton, Laguna Beach, CA

Exhibitions

● 2020, 2021, 2022 Sawdust Winter Fantasy, Exhibiting Artist, Laguna Beach, CA­

● 2020, 2021 Sawdust Summer Festival, Exhibiting Artist, Laguna Beach, CA­

● Aug 2018 B- Studios- Solo Show, Travelogue, Santa Ana, CA­

●  Jun 2016­             Laguna Art Museum- Group Show, Emerging Masters, Laguna Beach, CA­

●  Jun 2016­             Q Art Salon- Group Show, Convergence, Santa Ana, CA­

●  May 2016­            7 Degrees- Group Show, Graduation Show, Laguna Beach, CA­

●  June 2015­            Laguna Art Museum- Group Show, Emerging Masters, Laguna Beach, CA­

●  Oct 2014 ­            Viva La Art­ S.T.E.A.M Nation, Demonstrating Artist, Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA­

●  Sep 2014 ­            2nd Story Gallery- 2 Person Show, San Dimas, CA ­

●  Jun 2014 ­             Laguna Art Museum- Group Show, Emerging Masters, Laguna Beach, CA­

●  May 2014 ­            Yelp.com- Group Show, Demonstrating Artist, Elite Yelper Event, Battleship Iowa, San Pedro, CA­

●  Mar 2014 ­            Artservatory- Group Show, Session VI- "Define", Brea, CA­

●  Mar 2014 ­            Fullerton Art Walk- Featured Artist, 4th Anniversary Show, Fullerton, CA­

●  Oct-­Dec 2013 ­        Brea Gallery- Featured Artist, Watercolor West, Brea, CA ­

●  Mar 2013         ­     Fullerton Art Walk- Featured Artist, 3rd Anniversary Show, Fullerton, CA­

●  Sep 2013 ­             2nd Story Gallery- 2 Person Show, San Dimas, CA ­

●  Oct 2012 ­             ACS / DC- Group Show, Clay and Art Festival, L.A. County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA ­

●  Feb 2013 ­             “Abundance”- Group Show and Benefit, Irvine, CA ­

●  Aug 2012 ­             “Goddess of Pomona”- Group Show, Main Street Gallery, Pomona, CA

●  Sep 2011 ­              “Plein-Air Artist”- Group Show, 2nd Story Gallery, San Dimas, CA

●  Feb 2010 ­             “Dreams and Nightmares”- Group Show, Los Angeles, CA ­

●  Feb & Oct 2010 ­     “Scion U.V. Experience I & 2”- Group Show, Scion of Santa Monica, CA ­

● 2005 ­ Somecrust Bakery- Solo Show, Claremont, CA ­

Awards

●  2012 ­                    ACS ­ DC Clay and Art Festival, Best in Show - Painting

●  2005 ­                  Cal State University Fullerton, Florence Milner Arnold - Art Portfolio Scholarship    

●  2003 - 20­05 ­         Cal State University Fullerton, Dean’s List

●  2001 ­                   Coca-Cola, Art of Harmony National Competition, 1st Place - Los Angeles Region

●  2001 ­                   Pomona Fair, Student Portfolio Competition, High School Art Portfolio Award

Teaching Experience

● 2017-Present JSerra Catholic High School, Art Teacher

●  2015-2016        Pacific Academy College Preparatory High School, Art Teacher

●  2014-2018         Laguna Art Museum, Art Teacher

●  2014 ­                  Laguna College of Art and Design, ­Ran the Figure Drawing Workshop

●  2014 ­                  Laguna College of Art and Design,  TA- Portrait and Figure Drawing Classes

●  2012-2013 ­            Pomona’s dA Center for the Arts,­ Ran the Figure Drawing Workshop

●  2012 ­                 Stork Elementary, Alta Loma School District, Meet the Masters Art Instructor