The Eccentric Art of Lewis Smith 1907 - 1998

Folk art, antiques, and outsider art

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More of Lewis Smith's art: Brown bags White paper Cardboard Sketches Diners Alleys Animals Writings

We've loved Lewis Smith's art for a long time. Here are 40+ pieces we've just photographed. They are drawn on recycled bags and cardboard, and reflect his eye for local detail and his preoccupations with strong women, trains, time, and currency. The alley scenes and writings are dense with his passing thoughts, philosophy, and aphorisms. They are worth spending time looking at the details. If you're not familiar with Lewis and his art, we encourage you to read about his interesting life here.

Diners on cracker boxes:

These are drawn in crayon, markers, and ballpoint on the inside of flattened cardboard cracker boxes. Crackers were a big part of Smith's diet. All are in generally very good condition. The edges of the boxes were cut unevenly, and the original crease lines of the boxes are visible. These measure approximately 10" by 17" with some variation. If you need to know the exact dimensions or other details of a particular drawing please ask.

The Break of Day by Lewis Smith "The Break of Day" The price is $1100.00. Inventory code: LSC229. "The Break of Day" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "The Break of Day" ... Reverse.

Willow Run by Lewis Smith "Willow Run" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LSC230. "Willow Run" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Willow Run" ... Reverse.

Diner by Lewis Smith "Pepsi Cola" The price is $900.00. Inventory code: LSC231. "Pepsi Cola" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Pepsi Cola" ... Reverse.

Tonka Inn by Lewis Smith "Tonka Inn" "Columbia River on Draft" The price is $900.00. Inventory code: LSC232. "Tonka Inn" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Tonka Inn" ... Reverse.

Broomwater Junction by Lewis Smith "Broomwater Junction" The price is $1100.00. Inventory code: LSC233. "Broomwater Junction" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Broomwater Junction" ... Reverse.

Oak Hill Grill by Lewis Smith "Oak Hill Grill" The price is $950.00. Inventory code: LSC234. "Oak Hill Grill" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Oak Hill Grill" ... Reverse.

Diner by Lewis Smith "90¢ Paid for U.S. Dollars". The cardboard this is drawn on is somewhat darkened and stained, especially on the back. One quarter of the drawing (one original side of the box) is darker than the others. The price is $900.00. Inventory code: LSC235. "90¢ Paid" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "90¢ Paid" ... Reverse.

Taras Tiger Temple by Lewis Smith "Taras Tiger Temple" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LSC236. "Taras Tiger Temple" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Taras Tiger Temple" ... Reverse.

More drawings of diners

Alleys:

These are two sided drawings in crayon, ballpoint ink, and markers on panels cut from brown paper bags. Each is approximately 12" by 17", some varying by an inch or so. The panels were not always cut out exactly square. All are in generally very good condition, although many have soft edges or minor corner folds, and some were originally drawn on bags that were more worn or crinkled. If you need to know the exact dimensions or other details of a particular drawing please ask.

Snug Alley by Lewis Smith "Snug Alley" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS193. "Snug Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Snug Alley" ... Reverse.

Yellow Grass Alley by Lewis Smith "Yellow Grass Alley" "For my own good I am glad I am Different from other Folk" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS194. "Yellow Grass Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Yellow Grass Alley" ... Reverse.

Coke Alley by Lewis Smith "Coke Alley" "Landmark Owl Grill" The price is $850.00. Inventory code: LS195. "Coke Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Coke Alley" ... Reverse.

Bed Bug Alley by Lewis Smith "Bed Bug Alley" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS196. "Bed Bug Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Bed Bug Alley" ... Reverse.

Dobbin Alley by Lewis Smith "Dobbin Alley" The reverse seems to be an illustration of railway signals. The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS197. "Dobbin Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Dobbin Alley" ... Reverse.

Gap Seed Alley by Lewis Smith "Gap Seed Alley" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS198. "Gap Seed Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Gap Seed Alley" ... Reverse.

Big Ben Alley by Lewis Smith "Big Ben Alley" The price is $900.00. Inventory code: LS199. "Big Ben Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Big Ben Alley" ... Reverse.

Clink Alley by Lewis Smith "Clink Alley" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS200. "Clink Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Clink Alley" ... Reverse.

Funk Alley by Lewis Smith "Funk Alley" "Hands of time holds us all. Good farmers feeds us all." The price is $900.00. Inventory code: LS201. "Funk Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Funk Alley" ... Reverse.

Meow Alley by Lewis Smith "Meow Alley" "Study Pattern To Explore Pulse of Thought" "NOT Complete" "For Study Only Dont Trespass." The price is $1100.00. Inventory code: LS202. "Meow Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Meow Alley" ... Reverse.

Stew Alley by Lewis Smith "Stew Alley" "Rip While You Got The Zip" "Looking at the other side of Yesterday" "Looking too soon to see Tomorrow" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS203. "Stew Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Stew Alley" ... Reverse.

Democrat Alley by Lewis Smith "Democrat Alley" "Let" "Us" "Fight" "City" "Hall". The reverse has tracings of pocket knives and pennants. The price is $1100.00. Inventory code: LS204. "Democrat Alley" ... Knives and pennants.
Some much larger photos: "Democrat Alley" ... Knives and pennants.

Moon Alley by Lewis Smith "Moon Alley" The price is $1000.00. Inventory code: LS205. "Moon Alley" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Moon Alley" ... Reverse.

"Peso Alley", "My Loss Become My Gain". The price is $850.00. Inventory code: LS125. Peso Alley ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: Peso Alley ... Reverse.

More drawings of alleys

Writings and Sketches:

Like the alleys above, these are two sided drawings in crayon, ballpoint ink, and markers on panels cut from brown paper bags. As you can see in the photos, some are very densely covered with writings and aphorisms. The more you read, the more interesting they become. Each is approximately 12" by 17", some varying by an inch or so. The panels were not always cut out exactly square. All are in generally very good condition, although many have soft edges or minor corner folds, and some were originally drawn on bags that were more worn or crinkled. If you need to know the exact dimensions or other details of a particular drawing please ask.

Drawing by Lewis Smith "Is Your Desire In Focus" "When your train moves you move with it When your brain moves your thoughts talk". The price is $600.00. Inventory code: LS206. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith "Used Car Sale" "When it goes it goes" "When it dont it dont" Tire makes and models in oval sketches. The price is $600.00. Inventory code: LS208. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith Signposts, hearts and arrows. The price is $800.00. Inventory code: LS209. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith "Caravan Coffee" "People Make Times As Times Are." The price is $500.00. Inventory code: LS210. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith Women in old cars at a drive-in. The price is $600.00. Inventory code: LS211. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Chop Suey by Lewis Smith "Chop Suey" "Your Face is the Down Payment". The price is $600.00. Inventory code: LS212. "Chop Suey" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Chop Suey" ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith Women and world currency on one side, writing and large letters on the other. The price is $500.00. Inventory code: LS213. Currency ... Lettering.
Some much larger photos: Currency ... Lettering.

Drawing by Lewis Smith "Alpine Motel" The price is $350.00. Inventory code: LS214. "Alpine Motel" ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: "Alpine Motel" ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith Word games, including his name at the bottom. The price is $450.00. Inventory code: LS215. Wordplay ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: Wordplay ... Reverse.

Drawing by Lewis Smith "Eng. Cab. 8260." is a very detailed drawing of the control panel in a locomotive. Smith's father was a train engineer. The reverse has lots of sketches and writing, including a list of counties in Ohio. The price is $800.00. Inventory code: LS216. Locomotive controls ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: Locomotive controls ... Reverse.

Two women under an umbrella. "I dont have any reflections of what I have and cant LOCATE". The price is $425.00. Inventory code: LS217. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

"Put More Sparkle in your life!" The price is $600.00. Inventory code: LS218. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

"Hold To Yourself" The price is $450.00. Inventory code: LS219. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Small sketches in ballpoint and crayon. The reverse has writings, including "We Tackle Time AT our own Risk" The price is $500.00. Inventory code: LS220. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Lots of small sketches in marker. The price is $450.00. Inventory code: LS221. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

Very dense writing. One side includes a list of State Banks, and "Boundries - Boarders". The reverse includes lists of crimes and disasters. The price is $450.00. Inventory code: LS222. One side ... Reverse.
Some much larger photos: One side ... Reverse.

More writings

Drawings on cardboard

In line with his usual use of recycled materials, this was drawn on an irregularly-shaped piece of heavy card stock, probably the insert from a shirt package. One side of the cardboard is gray, and has two of his muscular women drawn in crayon and ballpoint pen, with smaller faces around the edges looking at the women. The other side of the cardboard is white, with an oddly detailed building in perspective, faces in the windows, drawn in ballpoint pen. It measures about 11" high by 16". The price is $800.00. Inventory code: LS176. Two women ... House and women, in ink.
Some much larger photos: Two women ... House and women, in ink.

Train engine by Lewis Smith This train engine is drawn ink, marker, and pencil on one side of a roughly cut piece of cardboard measuring 6 1/4" by 17". There is some faint staining and creasing to the cardboard. The price is $450.00. Inventory code: LS137. Train engine ... Back.
Some much larger photos: Train engine ... Reverse.

Ford Key by Lewis Smith "1915 Ford Key" looks like a tracing of the actual key in ballpoint ink on a roughly cut piece of cardboard measuring 6" by 17". There is some faint staining and creasing to the cardboard. The price is $100.00. Inventory code: LS207. Ford Key ... Back.
Some much larger photos: Ford Key ... Reverse.

More drawings on cardboard

About Lewis Smith His Folk Art Environment
Art on: Brown bags White paper Cardboard Sketches Diners Alleys Animals Writings

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