Guest Blog: Renowned Textile Artist Suzette Smart Shares her Creative Process with Jaycotts

Following the wonderful Q&A's we've had with Poppy Treffry and Corinne Young we follow on our guest blogging series with another wonderful textile artist, Suzette Smart.

Suzette Smart is a renowned textile artist whose journey into the world of fabric and thread is both inspiring and deeply rooted in personal experience.

With a background in Fashion & Textile Design and years of dedication to her craft, Suzette has become a master of storytelling through textiles. Her work is not only a reflection of her technical skills but also of her passion for nature, sustainability, and the art of creating something unique from the simplest materials.

In this Q&A, Suzette shares her journey, creative process, and valuable insights into the world of textile arts, offering inspiration and guidance to aspiring artists and designers.

Hi Suzette, Can you share your journey into the world of textile arts? What inspired you to choose this career?

All I wanted to do from an early age was make and sew. My love of collage came about when I was doing my BTEC in General Art & Design. It was a really creative environment to be learning in and afterwards I was never afraid to cut up a piece of work up and repurpose it into something new! I followed this with a degree in Fashion & Textile Design at The University Of Ulster, Belfast.

Then after losing both my parents when I was around 30 and as a stay at home Mum, I needed my creativity to get me through a difficult time. I bought a new sewing machine as I had all these stories and ideas I wanted to recreate with free machine stitching and fabric. It took two years until I burnt that machine out! I then went on to work on a Bernina 1008 which is still my workhorse now.

Could you guide us through your creative workflow? How do you transform your inspiration into a finished textile piece?

The inspiration for a piece may be as simple as hearing a cuckoo in a copse. Once I have this I can set about preparing the background which is all about finding the perfect configuration of my chosen fabrics. These may have been painted with gesso or have some transferred images on. The cuckoo and any other elements I want to include are brought to life with fabric collage, free machine and hand stitching. More often than not, there is some text in the work too which might be stitched or printed.

The themes and processes I use filter into my workshops and back again.

What are your primary sources of inspiration for your work? Are there specific places, birds and animals that consistently fuel your work?

I live around the corner to the Llangollen canal and life along the towpath and through the fields is a constant source of inspiration for stitching and storytelling. I’m also a long distance walker and the idea of journeys and paths have featured quite strongly in my work over recent years. It’s become part of my practice to take a length of fabric, needle and thread in my rucksack so I can respond in stitched marks to what I see around me. Alongside these stitched marks I’m currently keeping a daily sketchbook and filling it with hills, animals and birds to inspire and ignite ideas for a series of new work.

What major challenges have you faced as a textile artist and how have you navigated them?

When I started exhibiting around 20 years ago, textiles wasn’t always recognised as an art form and fell into the craft category. In 2023 I co organised and curated an exhibition of fine art textiles, with fellow artist Alison Holt in The Willow Gallery, Shropshire. The exhibition included work from over 60 artists from across the UK and Ireland working with stitch. We had events throughout the seven weeks including workshops, meet the artist and book signing. We’re excited to be planning a second exhibition in 2025.

How do you integrate sustainability into your work and creative processes? What measures do you take to ensure your work is environmentally responsible?

My work is full of gifted and thrifted fabrics and they’ve become integral to my process and the stories I’m telling. I have different containers full of fabric scraps which can be themed to colour or texture. Under my desk is a basket of light coloured small pieces already to be painted and pieced back together for my foundation layers.

When I was working in the South of France this Summer, I was able to source antique linens and lace from local brocantes and vides which are beautiful for hand stitching into.

What advice would you offer to aspiring textile artists and designers starting out in their careers?

Whether you’re an artist or a designer you need to be true to you and give yourself time to experiment to find out what makes your work special.

You don’t need to know every technique but just be really happy with a few that work for the story you want to tell.

How has technology influenced your design process and the textile industry at large? Are there specific tools or innovations that you find particularly beneficial?

The biggest change in the last 20 years for me has been the internet and social media. It’s unbelievable how easy it is now to have connections so far afield and teach a class to more than one time zone all from your studio.

Social media has given me the opportunities to grow my business but I’m glad I was able to find my creative style when I did as I think it’s harder now not to be influenced by what we see.

Who are some of the artists or designers that have significantly influenced your work?

I was fortunate enough to have some fantastic tutors on my BTEC who encouraged experimentation and helped me find perfection in imperfection.

In 2006 I came across an exhibition of work by mixed media artist, Marie Morel in Post Aven, France. I liked the way she pieced her stories together.

Do you have any sewing tips that have improved your methods? 

Ooh sewing tips … I sometimes use a door wedge to angle my sewing machine towards me so I sit straighter and I will always bring my bobbin thread through my fabric to stop the dreaded birds nest!

Suzette Smart's journey and wisdom are a testament to the power of creativity and resilience in the face of challenges. Her dedication to sustainability, her love for nature, and her unique artistic approach make her a true inspiration for anyone in the field of textile arts. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, Suzette's experiences and advice offer valuable lessons that can help you grow in your own creative journey. Keep experimenting, stay true to your vision, and let your creativity lead the way, just as Suzette has done throughout her remarkable career.