FWS Artist and Photographer: Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith is a painter, photographer, and an Instructional Designer for the National Conservation Training Center. She loves to share her passion with others and hopes to inspire others to connect with nature and appreciate all its beauty. She grew up in Maryland spending many weekends on her grandfather’s farm where she could roam and play outside. This special place was where her love for nature grew. Along with her memories, she has her grandfather’s photos to cherish. He took lots of pictures and Michelle still has his old accordion-style folding camera. One of her very favorite photos is one he took of her, Michelle describes, “standing in the middle of a field holding a chicken; and in the picture, you can see my grandfather’s shadow leaning forward and looking into that fold camera.”
Michelle was the first in her family to go to college and she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Frostburg State University with her B.S. in Justice Studies. Her career began as a Co-Op student with the Internal Revenue Service. But during a break from government work, she worked as an Art Teacher.
“Art has always been an important part of my life. It’s part of me.”
During her time in education, Michelle fell in love with the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) when she attended an annual arts festival through Potomac Valley Audubon Society and dreamed of working there one day. When there was a job opening for a Training Technician, she immediately applied to get her foot in the door. Fourteen years later (and several positions later), she still loves working at the NCTC! Michelle shares, “I feel so incredibly blessed for all the twist and turns that led me to NCTC and the Fish and Wildlife Service.” Her positions at NCTC have included Training Specialist, Distance Learning Specialist, and now Instructional Designer in the Design and Publishing Branch.
As Instructional Designer, Michelle serves as the State Coordinator of the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest for West Virginia. She works with the FWS Duck Stamp Office and national program coordinators, county school boards, teachers and students to make the annual art contest successful for the agency and students; all the while sharing our conservation mission. She also creates illustrations in a variety of media to enhance training programs and course materials, provides graphic design, photography and art production assistance as needed. Michelle is also the Primary Lead for the FWS Artist in Residency Program and is working on establishing and launching this high-quality program for NCTC and the FWS.
These days, you can find Michelle camping in her tiny camper with her art supplies and camera in hand. She takes art classes and workshops to learn from other artists and stay sharp on her skills and has found that the “best way to improve as an artist and develop her own style is to pick up a brush and practice.” One piece of advice she holds on to is that “a portfolio is more important than a piece of paper showing where you went to school.”
Just like her grandfather, Michelle is also talented behind the lens with a camera in her hand, capturing good light and her feathered friends. She enjoys studying birds through photography and shares that, “it’s a perfect way to slow down, be present, and appreciate nature.” Time stands still when she’s out there with her camera. Photography is the perfect way to document her bird sightings and create a reference library for future paintings.
Michelle Smith has contributed several images to the National Digital Library, click on her collection view her images. Through this blog, the USFWS Library aims to highlight different people in the field who have contributed spectacular photography and art in this case, with an eye toward reflecting the full mission of the Service. Visit us at: images.fws.gov. Brought to you by the USFWS Library. #FWSBehindTheLens #WeAreUSFWS
