Meet Dionna Sharay Smith | Artist & Creative Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dionna Sharay Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dionna Sharay, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Hmmm…What value or principle matters most to me? I don’t think I could choose just one value or principle, but rather a trait followed by a value and a principle.

Character is a huge trait that reflects an individual or business. The value of great character is integrity paired with honesty resulting in principle.

Now back to the question, lol. So excellent character that consists of integrity and honesty matters most to me. The reason being is a business/individual with good character will approach/handle any situation with purity and care. Knowing that a person or company has good character generates trust and reassurance that you’re safe, and things get handled worry-free.

What should our readers know about your business?
As an artist, I utilize photography to document daily life experiences captured or appropriated from a moment in time through past and present surroundings. My work combines discovery and enlightenment, sophisticatedly presented through portraits and landscapes. I am often questioning the complexities of existence and being. While most recently diving into writing, intersecting cultural subject matters with existential questioning.

To go along with the constant investigation, the gesture of image and text engages viewers consciously, intending to shift perspectives and spaces.

On top of being an artist I operate a business as well. Thee Smithington is an artist-led creative consultant company building equity for artists and businesses. We work with companies and individuals interested in creative direction, unique start-ups, branding, networking, and marketing techniques. Thee Smithington is also an artist platform that collaborates with other creatives to develop timeless works of art to share with the world.

What you put into the universe is what you get out. Creating something physical with an eternal existence motivates me as an artist and business owner. I would say that’s what I’m most proud of the ability to create whatever is in my mind as a real object.

Just being myself sets me apart from others because no one is like me on this earth. All my ideas and creations are inspirationally original. As I use the world and my life experiences as a foundation to each creation.

Wow, as I reflect on how I got to where I am today and how it all started, I see it is a long journey. It all began with purchasing my first camera, a Canon T2i, in 2012. Now that I think about it, it’s crazy that I financed that camera with a credit card because I didn’t have the money for a $900 photographic tool. On the contrary, it didn’t matter because my passion for photography was strong enough to take the risk and invest in myself.

After that, I started a photography company named Fake Los Angeles Photography and collections of t-shirts to promote the brand. Fake Los Angeles began to catch on amongst my hometown community, Compton, CA, and neighboring cities. Local businesses, brands, and rappers began hiring me for photography services. While running Fake Los Angeles Photography, a long-time friend, Eric Daniel, was doing videography and creating t-shirts and hoodies to promote their brand, LVL HEADZ. I noticed that the clients around the town I was working with needed video services. Eric and I started a company named UNDRGRND MVMNT. We collaborated on projects and created posters and stickers to market our brand. Fake Los Angeles and UNDRGRND MVMNT lasted for a few years until 2016.

In 2016 something inside me felt like there could be more as if I was hitting a glass ceiling. At that moment in time, I decided to embark on expanding my knowledge as a self-taught photographer into a trained professional. I enrolled in the commercial photography program at The Arts Institutes of California Orange County. During my time there, I learned new techniques and business skills. After two years, I completed the program and graduated with an associate’s degree in photography. Thirsty for knowledge at the time, I enrolled in the bachelor’s program. Unfortunately, before completing the bachelor’s program, The Art Institutes of California shut down in my last year due to mishandling funds. I was devastated and did know what to do from there.

While thinking of my next move, I realized I could not let that stop me from achieving. I began searching for another art school to finish my bachelor’s degree. In the Fall 2019, I started at Otis College of Art and Design, majoring in Fine Arts with an entrepreneurship minor.

Was it easy? No way I wish, but I wouldn’t change anything because it has shaped myself and my career for the good.

The two main challenges were time management and progressing as a person to measure up to my desires. While going to college, I had a part-time job and built my business in the background. So time was very tight for me; managing that time was a learning process full of sacrifice. As far as my progress, the personal growth I was experiencing became unrecognizable at times. I was becoming something no one around me understood, leading to losing friendships and distance from those I loved. The sacrifices I had to face on this journey have been struggles in a sense to stop the progress, but I kept going.

Right now, I’m working on releasing books, zines, prints, and collector items from my highly anticipated project, Ties/Bonds, a heartfelt image and text body of work. As well as establishing Thee Smithington as the go-to creative consultant for individuals/businesses looking to grow, expand or manage offering services such as photography, project management, assisting, marketing, and branding.

What I want the world to know about me, my story and my brand is that it’s all meant to inspire, motivate and encourage others. Because we all can achieve whatever our heart desire.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm…a week-long trip that’s a lot of time for tons of fun. However, I’m going to keep it short.

Our week would consist of good eats, some shopping, and art activities. One of my favorite things to eat is ice cream, so we would have to visit Bumsan, an organic milk bar in K-town. Then do minor damage at the South Coast Plaza. As well as visit a few art galleries, specifically Gallery 90220.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to Ashley Morgan, an intelligent, creative entrepreneur artist/creative owner of Innovative Bling, magnificently crafted handmade accessories and jewelry company. Thanks to her, I found the inspiration/motivation to do this interview.

Also, I want to thank Margaret Jones-Paige, an incredible entrepreneur and owner of Bad Beez, a black-owned beauty company, for recommending me for this interview.

As well, thanks to Shoutout LA for granting me the opportunity.

Website: https://dionnasharaysmith.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theephotosmith/

Other: https://www.theesmithington.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theesmithington/

Image Credits
Profile image by James Porschen All other images by Dionna Sharay Smith