Anneka Smith - The Arty Plip

My name is Anneka (although everyone calls me Annie)- Mum to 1 small person and part time NHS Mental Health Worker. I live in Kingsteignton but am originally from sunny Teignmouth. I have worked in Community Mental Health for over 11 years and as you can imagine, services have become much more strained throughout the pandemic; therefore the role somewhat more demanding and at times quite stressful. I love my job dearly and wouldn't change it for the world... however work demands teamed with the 'juggle' of raising a small young man made me realise that I was lacking  'something just for me', 'and outlet' for day to day life pressures. I therefore decided to revisit my love of painting on the days when the small one is at pre-school (or asleep!), and I have to say I am so glad that I did because it made me remember just how much I love Art and just how soothing the process is. 

In all honestly up until recent months I had not picked up a paintbrush (aside from home decorating), for over 12 years....I was surprised and saddened myself that it had been so long. I studied GCSE Fine Art many years ago at Teignmouth Community college and was lucky enough to achieve an A*, I then went on to study A-Level art and achieved an A at AS level. Art was always my strongest subject when I was growing up- particularly painting abstract themes on canvas with acrylic paint..... I still have some of my coursework in the garage which I am keen to hunt out and look through!

Since revisiting Art I wanted to try something that was new to me- I knew I wanted to paint but I also wanted to try making jewellery, so thought- why not combine the two? I then wanted to create a 'name' for my hobby/ brand.... Plip has always been a nickname of mine (myself and my Brother were 'Plip and Plap' whilst growing up) and some people still call me Plip even now! So I thought I would call my brand 'The Arty Plip'. 

I began with creating earrings from circular 15mm diameter plywood discs attached to hypoallergenic posts and butterfly backs- I have so far managed to make around 100 pairs of earrings, each all hand painted with Daler Rowney acrylic paint and finished with 2 coats of liquitex varnish. All of the earrings I have made are completely unique with a range of themes including: botanical, abstract, landscape, geometric, wildflower, moon and many more. I really like to make my work colourful and am not afraid to team up colours that are a bit 'out there'.