Lewis Smith was a traveler, he spent his life drifting, traveling tirelessly the United States. It is not known when he began to draw. He would use any support: wrapping paper, supermarket bags, etc. He liked to portray everyday life: bar scenes, restaurants, menus, prices, but also sporting events. He particularly enjoyed the wrestlers, jugglers and acrobats. He also liked to draw pets. He never showed his drawings or writings to anyone, they were only discovered after his death.