Brad Ford Smith in his East Dallas studio, by James Khattak for K.Co Press.
East Dallas artist and art conservator Brad Ford Smith is gearing up to release three publications this fall.
Where To Find A Ghost, House of Giller and Nine Days With LiHua are expected to come out in October.
According to a press release: Where To Find A Ghost is a new chapbook collection of drawings and stories depicting locations around Dallas where “historic events of calamity and tragedy” have occurred. House of Giller is composed of drawings Smith drew over several years of the home of the late local artist and his friend Susan Giller. A new edition of Nine Days With LiHua chronicles nine days of cat-sitting a mysterious feline in New York City.
“I draw sites of local forgotten history and calamity, often following trails I find in old newspapers. The experience of drawing on site generates a personal connection to my city, the people who lived here and the landscape,” Smith said in the press release. “On the other hand, I draw just about any time I sit down. Without pencil and paper, I’m the guy sitting next to you at the lecture who can’t stop fiddling with the program. So, I’ve drawn a lot of lectures, a few plays and a lot of documentaries on TV! This also extends to feeding my friends’ cats. I can’t just dash in, serve up the fish and leave. For the wellbeing of the kitty, I have to hang out for a bit. This often results in a few drawings… and maybe a silly song or two.”
He continued, “I tend to work within project frameworks that form a body of work. I see each drawing as an individual and I love it when an original work of art finds a new home. But it’s also sad because the drawings will never be together again. By publishing all the art together, the complete story can be shared and experienced over and over.”
Drawing from House of Giller by Brad Ford Smith
Alongside the releases, Smith’s work will be featured in an exhibition entitled, “Where To Find A Ghost and Other True Stories” at Tin District gallery Ro2 Art, which is west of Downtown Dallas.
Smith’s books will be published through K.Co Press in Dallas.
“Brad’s ink drawings are created with fine lines and limited palettes but contain deep, meaningful subject matter,” K.Co Press publisher Stephanie Khattak said in the press release. “When we were introduced to Brad’s work, we immediately saw the value in these books, not only for their visual interest and story, but for the emotional connection they will inspire in readers. We are very proud to represent Brad and know that his work will resonate with many.”
K.Co Press will also release a narrative cultural history of Deep Ellum’s Kettle Art Gallery by Jason Hensel in December.
You can buy Where To Find A Ghost separately or in a box set with House of Giller and Nine Days With LiHua. Preordering will be available in September.
