Kathy Smith, an assistant professor of art and foundations coordinator, feels an intimate connection with movies, which she will share with viewers at the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

Smith is showing a new collection of pantings that she refers to as "old movie classic."

To create her artwork, she chose a particular scene from a movie and took a snapshot of it.

She then put it into Photoshop for editing to help personalize the image.

She ended the process by painting the scene.

"I fell in love with movies a long time ago and have been collecting old films for many years," Smith said.

Smith likes to use post-World War II films and British film noir.

She researches the movie and spends a lot of time viewing it to see which scenes stick out to her.

Smith tries to capture dark and mysterious moments.

She uses actors and actresses in her paintings, but obscures them so they aren't easily identified and aren't the main focus.

Smith also likes to include human relationships and the psychological drama in people's lives in her artwork.

"I find people's stories very interesting and that is how I get the ideas and inspiration for my work," Smith said.

One piece that Smith will be showing at her event is a scene inspired by the movie "The Letter."

"The scene I captured was when an actress murders her lover because he left her for someone else," Smith said.

Smith's passion for old films gives her an appreciation for black and white films.

She believes a key component to filmmaking is how the director produces the film and the characterization.

Smith's exhibit uses very little color to emphasize lighting.

"Black and white films have a lot of power with the use of lighting," Smith said. "I am not a real fan of all the new movies using computerized elements and extra features because sometimes less is better."

Smith has always known she wanted to work in the art community.

"When I was younger and I got my driver's license, instead of going shopping I wanted to go to art museums," Smith said. "I have always found art fascinating."

Crisp Museum director Peter Nguyen said that Smith's exhibit will be entertaining to viewers.

"Viewers can expect to see Kathy Smith's interest in how films stills can draw the viewer into the story and the changing reactions to the viewing constantly changing," Nguyen said.

According to Nguyen, when putting together transition spaces events, the first thing that needs to be done is the selection of the artist and a part of their body of work.

Then a press release is sent out and the installation process begins.

The gallery hosts an opening reception for the artist and sometimes the exhibit will also feature a lecture from the artist.

Smith will hold a presentation of her collection at a transition spaces event from 4-8 p.m. with a gallery talk at 5 p.m. May 4 at the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum.