Aline Smithson was always drawing as a child growing up in Los Angeles. After a stint as a large format painter, Smithson went to New York for 10 years, working in fashion. She returned to LA, took a class in photography and realized she “could use the camera to make art.” She had found her “visual voice,” and now, as a teacher for more than 20 years, savors the moments she sees that voice arise in her students. Smithson is one of the most recognized names in photography, not only because of her work developing LENSCRATCH, an online resource for and community of photographers, but also because of her own significant body of work, which elevates the everyday world into something more. You will enjoy our conversation with her because of the individuality and universality, the humanity, she shares with us.

Visit Aline's website AlineSmithson.com, and enjoy her publication LENSCRATCH.com.

The arts, which engage both the head and the heart, may offer the needed aesthetic experiences to promote human flourishing, and provide a remedy to our current hurt, lassitude, and alienation. Studio Aesculapius guests point to the value of the arts in their lives, which may light the path toward a renewed sense of our humanity.

Learn more at StudioAesculapius.com.