When we hear the word ‘legacy’, our minds may fill with ideas of wealth, property or children. For Rick and Tiffani Smith, their legacy is taking shape in the form of faith, family and skillset.
Both Rick and Tiffani were raised in homes filled with love and respect, which shaped the values they live by today.
“When I was young, I admired my grandpa’s skill with the hammer and steady work ethic as I helped him with construction projects,” Rick recalls. “The same grandpa would gather us and tell stories about his hardworking parents, grandparents, and other ancestors. Those stories inspired me to work hard and gave me a sense of belonging. They still do. I want to pass on the same legacy to my children by working hard and telling family stories as much as I can.”
Tiffani also grew up hearing stories of her feisty, determined grandmother and the work ethic passed down by the men in her family.
“I have come to know what stock I come from,” she says, “and it helped me determine who I am and who I want to be. I’ve especially loved discovering that my interests in creative writing, singing and art are all things some of my ancestors excelled at.”
Rick and Tiffani met in college art class. Tiffani fondly recalls the moment she first laid eyes on Rick, describing him as someone who "glowed with goodness."
Initially drawn to art as a career, the young couple determined art was probably best kept as a cherished hobby, and Rick, instead, pursued a career in law to support their dream of having a family. Now, they have six children, all of whom share their love for art.
“Art seems to be a way they communicate with us and others,” the Smiths say of their children.
Each of the Smith family members expresses their art in different ways: drawing animals, drawing people, photography, creating illustrated books, and - for their one-year-old – painting with food.
Portraits have become a special focus for Rick and Tiffani. Tiffani's love for drawing faces and Rick's admiration for the connection it creates between generations converge in their portraits. More than images, their sketches bring back to life stories of the past.
“Last October (for family history month), I decided to do as many sketches of my ancestors as I could in that month,” Tiffani shares. “I would sketch my favorite picture of an ancestor, read up on stories about them, and post my sketch with a favorite story on Facebook. I loved getting to know every nuance about their face and little details about their lives. I feel like I got to know them better and could introduce them to my children and friends.”
“When I paint someone’s child or grandparent, for example, I know the painting will not end up in a thrift store; it will stay in the family for generations!” Rick says. “That’s a cool feeling – to create something that connects generations.”
In his day job working in inheritance law, Rick has seen what it truly means to leave a lasting legacy.
“I have seen first-hand that leaving money and property is not as important as a legacy of love and belonging and the core values that we live and share,” he says.
Tiffani adds, “We hope our children know they are loved and that they have an important place in a wonderful family heritage. I hope they know and feel connected to their family (past and present), so they can better face the challenges of life.”
You can view the Smith’s artwork and read their blog at artsmithproject.com.
