Hobo Smutt
Art for me is not about the end result but about the process, the act of creating, experimenting, and discovering what emerges along the way. I am most fulfilled when I lose myself in the experience, allowing each brushstroke or layer of color to unfold without expectation. That sense of freedom, vulnerability, and connection is what keeps me coming back to the canvas.
My passion for art has been shaped not only by my creative practice but also by my personal journey. Growing up in foster care and experiencing adoption and unadoption twice, I learned early on that family does not always look the way we expect. For me, the art community became that family — a place of belonging, healing, and connection. I believe deeply that art holds the power to mend, to bring people together, and to remind us that we are not alone if we are willing to open ourselves to it.
Beyond my own practice, I carry this belief into community. I lead Miss Creants, a team that celebrates collaboration, individuality, and the joy of making art together. With them, I have seen firsthand how creativity builds connection, how it breaks down barriers, and how it invites people into a shared space of expression and growth.
As an artist, I am passionate about bringing people together through art and reminding others that creativity belongs to everyone. This passion has led me to meaningful milestones, including being featured on PBS in April 2025 and the honor of having my work shown in the Veterans Art Council Expo at the Denver Art Museum. These moments reflect not only my dedication as an artist but also my belief in the power of art to spark dialogue, healing, and community.
At heart, I am most excited by the connections art makes possible. Whether alone in the studio or working alongside others, I remain committed to keeping the process, the messy, beautiful, and transformative act of creation, at the center of everything I do.