Daniel Smith, one of the nation’s foremost wildlife artists, was born in Minnesota and now resides in Montana where he is inspired by his surroundings.  He has achieved global prominence in the world of wildlife art, and one of the most rewarding and inspiring elements of his work is the fieldwork.  It is the genesis of all of his paintings.  Smith is passionate about his subjects and travels frequently seeking artistic inspiration.

Daniel’s son, Adam Smith was born in Minnesota in 1984.  The family moved to Montana when he was nine years old. Raised in a family immersed in the wildlife art world, Adam was nurtured on nature. "We always had a variety of animals in and around our house from ducks, rabbits, parrots and iguanas to the more domestic horses and dogs. Life was never dull (or quiet) around our house."

Daniel often had mounts, skins and tons of wildlife reference scattered around his studio. The family trips were often centered on nature whether hiking in Glacier National Park or mountain biking along the coast of Molokai, HI. Adam's current home in Montana, nestled in the woods at the base of a mountain, offers frequent visits from elk, moose, deer, mountain lions and bears. Smith says, "Nature was just a part of who we were as a family."

Fascinated by his father's early career in duck stamps, Adam decided he wanted to learn how to paint and subsequently entered the Montana Junior Duck Stamp competition. His first entry in 2001 placed first and that was the beginning and the end of his duck stamp career. He put away his paint brushes and turned his full attention to cars.

Adam attended WyoTech and graduated in the top of his class. Recruited by two of the most desirable automobile companies, Adam turned them down to stay in Bozeman. He wasn't ready to leave Montana and was not sure if he was truly following his passion.

In 2006 Adam picked up the paintbrush once again and found that passion. Daniel Smith remarks about Adam's natural abilities and minimal experience, "Many people assume that I taught Adam how to paint or that he picked it up by watching me work throughout the years. The fact is his talent is innate. I did not teach him how to paint. About a year ago he painted a small portrait of an African lion to see if he could paint fur. When he presented me with the finished work I was shocked because it looked like I painted it. Adam has a gift and I look forward to watching him grow and develop as an artist. We plan to take many reference trips together and share a bond that goes beyond the typical father and son relationship."