THE inspiration for Trentham artist Kevin Smith's new paintings is a combination of the hobo signs of the depression era and his glowing, expressionist landscapes.
"In America, tramps would write on walls and around town, whether it was safe and if you could get a meal, as a guide for their fellow travellers," Mr Smith said, who first learnt about the signs from an old symbol source book.
"They denote such things as food for work, police, `kind man lives here but watch out for four vicious dogs'. Most things are covered."
Mr Smith has joined this information with colourful, map-like scenes; from the hills of Bethanga on the Hume Weir, to the Flinders Ranges and the Victorian Goldfields.
There are small pastel impressions of Strathalbyn and the Adelaide Hills and large, vibrant oils on canvas of Trentham, Daylesford and Muses Hill.
The hobo works are variously shaped and sized, joined canvases which intensify the impression of information and movement across an exciting landscape.
The exhibition is to be held at Horvats Wine Is a 4 Letter Word and opens at 7pm on Friday, February 19 with live music into the evening.
The exhibition runs until Thursday, March 18.
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