Smallwood's watercolors are 'Lifescapes'

When Philip Smallwood rides in a New York cab, he doesn't just watch the meter. He often studies the cab driver in the rear-view mirror, examining his wrinkles, or the lack of them and the expression in his eyes.

Upon reaching his destination, Smallwood may ask permission to shoot the cabbie's photograph as the possible template for a watercolor.

"Mostly, they say 'yes,' " Smallwood says in an interview from his home studio in Milford, N.J. "Sometimes, if I'm in a car and stop at a red light and someone standing nearby looks interesting, or somebody intriguing is walking down Broadway, I may just snap the photo right then.

"However, if I'm in a restaurant and notice someone I want to sketch, I go over and introduce myself, tell them what I'm doing so they will be at ease; usually they are flattered," explains Smallwood.

Born in New Jersey, the artist has connections to South Carolina. One of his sisters lives in Sumter, and his mother lived there for a time.

Smallwood first visited Charleston in 1996 when he made the first of many tours through the Southeast, which inspired a body of work influenced by Southern rural families.

In celebration of Black History Month, Smallwood's exhibit, "Lifescapes," featuring 20 of his watercolors, opens Friday at Carolina Galleries, 106-A Church St.

The African-American artist will be honored at a reception at 5-8 p.m. Friday, followed by a lecture on his work at 6:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

"Lifescapes" runs through February.

Although mainly consisting of scenes from the South, the collection also includes several paintings depicting a boy growing up in New York City, which Smallwood says marks a shift to a more edgy, intense urban setting.

Smallwood calls his style "Lifescapes" because his goal is to engage the viewer and make him wonder about the subject's aspirations, dreams and desires.

Growing up in New Jersey, Smallwood considered going into medicine and enrolled in the pre-med program at the University of Miami.

"In anatomy classes, I drew the human figure a great deal, and when growing up, I was interested in tracing and then drawing," he says. "Also, as a child, I was influenced by Norman Rockwell's illustrations for the covers of the Saturday Evening Post; I felt you truly had a glimpse into these people's lives."

The artist is often inspired by people who aren't having it so good these days.

"These are people often overlooked because of their specific circumstances," he says. "I want viewers to get a really good look at these people."

Smallwood is now painting the portrait of saxophonist Tony Smith for Smith's new CD cover.

"I'm a huge jazz fan," says Smallwood. "One of my greatest thrills was when I was commissioned to paint a portrait of Duke Ellington for the Duke Ellington Centennial."

The artist signs his work, "P. Smallwood" and has exhibited in The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Parrish Museum in South Hampton, N.Y., and at the Philadelphia International Expo.

'Mystical Moments'

William Davies, an artist living in Hanahan, will present "Mystical Moments" through March 3 at The Real Estate Studio, 214 King St.

While a real estate office may seem a strange place to have an art opening, Josh James, an art promoter with his new company Beyond the Gallery, explains, "The Real Estate Studio is part of Dunes Properties and is a space where artists are allowed to show their work from time to time. The exhibits may bring in potential real estate clients, and so it's a win-win situation."

Having studied at the Albright Institute of Art and the Bryant Art Studio in New York, Davies' artwork was inspired by life on the shores of Lake Erie, N.Y.

He had his first solo exhibit at the Rue Franklin Gallery in Buffalo, N.Y.

After moving to the Lowcountry, Davies became fascinated by the relationship of water to nature, which he says "bridges the spectrum from serene and mystical to bold passion, and reflects the rhythm and intensity of a moment in time."

For gallery hours, visit www.beyondthegalleryonline.com.

Dottie Ashley is a freelance writer in Mount Pleasant. Reach her at dottieashley@gmail.com.