Creative Secrets with Annette Smyth

Creative Secrets this month is with Powertex tutor and artist Annette Smyth. She is a member of the Powertex UK Design Team, runs Powertex workshops from a dedicated studio in Leamington Spa, UK and has an extraordinary variety of work.

Creative Secrets with Creative Adventurer Annette Smyth

Annette Smyth Creative Adventurer

In my family, I am the fourth daughter (of 4 girls) so by the time I came along, the kitchen and household chores were already taken care of (phew) so I got to go outside into my Dad’s shed and help there.

That magical place where there were tins holding forgotten treasures, bits of wood with nails to hammer into them and old pots of paint to colour my creations.  So, yes I was encouraged to create, design and work through any problems that came up in the process.

 

When it was too cold to be outside, I spent my time doing embroidery – again helped by my Dad.  As a boy he had been admitted to a sanitarium to help him recover from a bout of TB, whilst there he was taught to embroider and I still have one of the pieces he made (now over 70 years old).

Annette Smyth Powertex figure sculpture

So, how did you come to your creative life as an adult?

Well it never really stopped from childhood, I just carried on creating things and learning new techniques. Ive tried sugar craft, card making, knitting, crochet, folk art painting, wirework, and a whole load more.

 

Annette Smyth Rust Dyeing

I know you as a Powertex tutor and Powertex Design Team member but I know you have other creative interests. What other arts or crafts do you do?

Ooh difficult one as I keep trying new things and going back to old skills and updating them. At the moment I’m attending college to learn ceramics where I love hand building sculptures. This year I’m going to try and increase the amount of art journalling I do.

Ceramics by Artist Annette Smyth

Can you describe a favourite piece of art you have made. What made it special for you and where is it now?

Wow another toughie as I’m always in love with my latest creation. So in that case it is the Japanese Cranes and they are sitting in pride of place in my studio.

Annette Smith Powertex Cranes

Do you have any other crafts you would like to try or creative skills you would like to learn? If so, what’s on your list and why?

This year I am attending a sculptor workshop with James Ort, I think this is really going to open up my sculpting to a looser style. I would love to do more wire work with Chris Moss, she’s a fantastic teacher and taking a piece of wire and creating a form is very rewarding.

You’ve named a couple of inspirational teachers for you. Who else do you admire in your art world and why?

I love the work of Philip Jackson the sculptor. His work is elegant and stunning with simple clean lines and dramatic colouring.

Sculpture is clearly a passion of yours but what are the benefits to you of having a creative practice in your life?

I find that I lose myself in the creative process no matter what the medium is, I can switch off from the mind monkeys and feel a sense of achievement.

Even when things don’t quite go to plan it still calms and centres me.

Annette Smith Powertex Canvas

Powertex Owl by Annette Smyth

Thank you for reading Creative Secrets! If you’d like to read the Creative Secrets of other Powertex artists you can find them here. Or if you’re a Powertex tutor and would like to share your Creative Secrets why not drop me a line?!