Antiques have been a part of Rebekah Smith’s life from an early age. She grew up surrounded by people who appreciated the simple lines and bold colors of early American folk art. She graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a degree in graphic design. It was Rebekah’s mother who challenged her to paint in the style of early American muralist Rufus Porter on a cupboard, saying “Try it and you can keep it.” Rebekah has never stopped painting on old surfaces. She has studied Rufus Porter’s style and Pennsylvania German folk art, both of which continually inspire her work. She also enjoys working on interiors, painting murals, and stenciling.
Her wool work was inspired by a photo of an early American child’s bed cover that was appliquéd with animals. Rebekah interpreted this piece into a reality for her youngest daughter. It was her first wool project and resulted in a new, textile-based inspiration. She now repurposes wool and hand dyes it, using a combination of natural and commercial dyes. Rebekah’s passion lies in color and design, both talents that are well suited to folk art. She and her husband, along with their three daughters, continually work to restore their 1838 house in the Western Reserve of Ohio.
Visit Rebekah’s website at rebekahlsmith and her blog at rebekahlsmith.blogspot In April 2017, she will be teaching at the From Our Hands & Hearts retreat in Yellow Springs, Ohio. See more details here
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