Maureen studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and at the Caulfield Institute of Technology and received a Fine Arts Bachelor degree.

Through out her career, Maureen Harris-Smith has developed her painting style within the Western Realist Tradition. Working within this discipline enabled her to explore many artistic possibilities, capturing mood, atmosphere and intensifying the imagery.

"Above all I am concerned with expressing the sense of place inherent in the subject". Certainly Harris-Smith's work of the Midlands and country Tasmania brings alive those areas, its people and heritage.

Maureen brings the same concerns and aesthetics to her floral pieces, capturing light, form and movement in spectacular skill. Over her illustrious career, Maureen has exhibited in numerous exhibitions, having had 20 solo shows since 1988 and is held in international, national and local collections.