Photographer's work returns to Belfair Self-Storage

Kirk Boxleitner | Nov 10, 20220

Courtesy of Teresa Smith count

A photograph by Teresa "Tree" Smith. Smith's work will be on display at Belfair Self-Storage this month.

Four months after photographer Teresa "Tree" Smith's work first appeared on Barbara Treick's art wall at Belfair Self-Storage, Smith has returned.

Smith said the months between her two showings have passed as she suspects they've passed for many others. Sometimes, it feels like a month since her last exhibition; other times, it feels like years. This vague sense of time passing has been compounded by caring for her mother, which led to a bit of artistic dormancy for her.

"Creating art and appreciating art are gifts we should give to ourselves, whether we consider ourselves artists or not," Smith said. "Without art, I can't help but feel a hunger and a lack of satisfaction. I've looked forward to regaining my balance through my art, because it's been a little out of whack lately."

Belfair Self-Storage is displaying both newer and older examples of Smith's work, which includes greeting cards of her images for sale. The greeting cards and larger prints on site are set to run the gamut from landscapes to abstract visuals.

"I've noticed I've done a number of beach scenes lately," Smith said. "My conscious focus has been on capturing more local beauty, whether it's been the Skokomish River, Hood Canal or the Theler Wetlands. I love the juxtaposition of water and sky, and conveying their changing conditions, especially during these transitional times of the year."

Even for a photographer whose eyes are as observant as Smith's, she still has to remind herself to remain open to the natural beauty that can spontaneously appear before her. "It can be surprising to see some new beauty in what's been right in front of my face all along," Smith said. "At the sporting goods store I shop at, I spotted these vines growing up the side of the building, and I had to take pictures of them, just to preserve that contrast between the vines and the red brick beneath. Again, that sort of beauty is a gift we can all give ourselves every day."

Helping her mother has given Smith opportunities to reflect on life, as mother and daughter have reminisced about meaningful moments they've shared.

"Over the years, I've lived on the Spokane River and the Oregon coast," Smith said. "Time spent with loved ones is a luxury, especially when you can both recall the beautiful places in the world that you've experienced."

Smith expressed her gratitude to her wife, multimedia artist Alice Durrie, who was showcased at Belfair Self-Storage in April and whose work is slated to return to the art wall in December.

"I want to thank my wife for continuing to support me, and for being one of the reasons why I can let art be important in my life, just as everyone should be allowed to make art an important part of their lives," Smith said.

For more information, call Treick at her office at 360-275-2257 or email [email protected].