Jean Ranney Smith

One look at Jean Ranney Smith’s family tree and it’s easy to understand why art was in her blood. Her father was a successful artist and teacher, her mother a talented portrait painter. She is also a descendent of the renowned 19th century painter, William T Ranney.

Jean graduated from the Minneapolis School of Art and Design and started her career as a commercial artist. After moving to Arlington, Virginia with her husband Bob, she began to paint the picturesque and historic settings in and around Washington, DC. Her luminous watercolors and impressionistic oils depicting landmarks such as the White House, the Alexandria waterfront and Georgetown University became widely known. Soon, corporate and private collectors including the American Bar Association, AT&T, Senator Mark Hatfield, the Republican National Committee, National Parks Services and the Japanese Embassy were acquiring her work. Jean’s paintings were chosen for the permanent collection of the Women’s Museum of Art in Washington, and she was invited to exhibit paintings in the “Art in Embassies” program.

Jean’s studio for many years overlooked Island Creek on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Here, in this peaceful location, she has discovered a wealth of new subjects from quaint small towns and lush gardens to water- men’s boats and lighthouses. She also brought her love of teaching to the Eastern Shore. After more than twenty years at the Keafaufer Art Studio in Washington, she offered classes and workshops in a variety of mediums as her schedule permitted.

Jean was a member of the Washington Watercolor Society and the Working Artist’s Forum. Her paintings won awards in juried exhibitions throughout the region and were exhibited in galleries in both Washington and Annapolis.

McBride Gallery hosted numerous solo shows for Jean Ranney Smith and is pleased to have represented her considerable talents for over 25 years.