[1] He also spent time living in Switzerland, Cameroon, and South Africa, and this exposure to diverse cultures influenced him both politically and artistically.
He avoids dark, cynical, or macabre themes, focusing instead on aspirational ideals and virtues.People have forgotten to celebrate that which is beautiful, simple, and innocent.
[5]Smalling has been commissioned for numerous notable portraits, including former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger, business magnate and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens,[6] and Dallas Cowboys and University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer.
Recently, he has collaborated with APMEX for the Asian Zodiac Series: Year of the Dragon,[8] FanDuel for a National Native American Hall of Fame project,[9] Emser Tile for their Native Narratives Series[10] and Incredible Technologies for Ultra Rush Gold,[11] as well as the Delaware Nation of Oklahoma.
He was selected as a Choctaw Nation Master Artist[1] and has been involved in various cultural projects that highlight Native American heritage and contributions to contemporary art.