The Art of Uko Smith

     Uko Smith, a Washington, D.C. native now living in Columbus, Oh graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design with a degree in Illustration/ design and a minor in fashion. Uko is becoming known for his unique style for the erotic pinup and his sensual style of work. Collectors and admirers of his work have come to notice his distinctive use of linework and stylized realization. Always looking to make his work distinguished from others in the field, he blends his style of design and illustration into a very unique package that definitely separates it from others.

     As always admiring the female form, Uko gives great attention to the emotion and alluring look of his females whether it be the eyes, hair or clothing designs he decides to adorn them with( if any at all). His attraction to the female form “goes way back as a young child to looking through lots of Frazetta books and Playboy magazines. Inspirational artists that Uko has admired throughout the years are aformentioned Frazetta, Michelangelo, Robert McGinnis, John Byrne, Kevin Nowlan, Serpieri, Bridgman, Vargas, Petty, Nagel, Larry Stroman are just a few on the list.

     Buyers of his original works have included Julie Strain, Veronika of the former Echo Gallery, now called Gallery Provocateur and other noted models in the industry and followers of pinup art. Uko has published four portfolios titled “Visions of Erotica”, illustrating themes of fetish, fashion and nude modeling. There is one common theme throughout his work and that is the women that he portrays always have a strong sense of self and femininity to them. Also along with the publication of “Visions of Erotica”, Uko has also published very successful sketchbooks every year from various projects and personal artwork.

     Not only is he a successful artist in the erotic art market, Uko has also been published in the field of comic books and the RPG industry. After being featured in the Nov. 2005 issue of Heavy Metal, Uko’s popularity is steadily growing into one of consistency in the field. Uko has recently finished a comic featuring Bodybuilding Professional Colette Nelson. 

     With the growing reputation of sketch cards, Uko has been a sought after artist of collectors and dealers of his sketch card work with current and previous sets of The Complete Avengers, DC Legacy, The Women of Marvel, The Fantastic Four, Batman Archives, Indiana Jones Heritage and Indiana Jones 4. Uko has had the distinction of helping with the sold out efforts of DC Legacy (750) and The Women of Marvel (616) by illustrating the most of many sketch artists. Buyers are amazed that he can do so many cards and still put the kind of quality needed to garner after value markets, which is amazing in itself.

www.ukosmith.com