During artist Laurie Smithwick’s first visit to the US Virgin Islands, she roamed the streets of St. Thomas, stunned by the saturated colors in every out-of-the-way spot her wandering took her. What struck her were the unique combinations — on churches, gates, storefronts, and homes; blues and oranges, purples and pinks, reds and turquoises, all shouting for attention regardless of how tucked away they may have been. By the end of her fourth day, she had taken over three hundred photographs. She realized she was collecting the colors of St. Thomas, colors she has now reproduced in monotype prints, created with Smithwick’s custom, handmade gelatin plates. Each multilayered, textured print was inspired by a single photograph of a specific building — some may be recognizable, and some may be less obvious, but they all add up to a color-soaked feeling that feels quintessentially St. Thomas.

Monotype Gel Print, Framed.