8 THE  ART OBSERVER May 2008 9 Questions for Frances Seba Smith By Kelly Moralee We caught up with Frances at the gallery after the Mixed Winter show where she exhibited two of her mixed media works. That was back in February. She is now in Bermuda from where she emailed us to say - “am having a great time here, working hard but enjoying life enormously. I have met quite a few Bermudian artists who are all very friendly”. The life of an artist! What is your favourite medium to work in? I haven’t got a favourite medi- um. The subject matter dictates what medium I use. Sketching outdoors and travelling I would use watercolour. With printmak- ing whether I use etching, linocut or monoprint, is largely determined by the subject. Do you prefer working in colour or black and white? How do you decide whether to reproduce a print in colour or black and white? I usually prefer to work in colour unless I am drawing or etching where linear marks are Born in Montreal, Canada. Studied Publicity at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal and after obtaining a Diploma in Publicity worked as a Graphic designer. In 1962 Frances was awarded an Honours Degree in Fine Arts (Printmaking) from Staffordshire University and since then has taught and lectured in printmak- ing at Metropolitan University, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire University and Midlands College. In 1990 Frances set up her own studio with an antique Albion press and an etching press. Frances has had several solo exhibitions and has exhibited extensively throughout the United Kingdom. She has work in permanent collections at the Chester City Art Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts Malta, St. Paul Minnesota Art Museum USA, British Midland Airlines. sometimes much stronger in black and white. Your etchings and linocuts are incredibly detailed and must take great precision and patience. Do you gain a sense of satisfaction from this medium? I find printmaking extremely satisfying. While your mind is debating artistic problems, your hands are engaged in very prac- tical problems. This combination is exhausting but exhilarating. I usually manage to lose a pound or two after a weeks printing on my antique Albion press. Who is your greatest inspiration? As a child aged 10 I saw a painting by El Greco and I was fascinated by the way he painted hands, but I am not sure he was an inspiration at the time. Now I find the work of Bottecelli, Paul Klee, Edward Hopper, Alex Colville and Prunella Clough very inspirational, but every time I go to a good exhibition I come away inspired. Whilst in Malta exhibiting her work, Frances Seba Smith met Marquis de Piro KM, who invit- ed her to be Artist-in-residence in his palazzo, the Casa Rocca Piccola, in Valetta. A series of watercolours and topographical paintings of the island were the product of this residency. What inspired you so much about Malta? Any favourite recollections from this time/ experience? As an artist Malta appealed to me very much. It has beautiful rugged coastlines, fascinating megalithic and roman ruins, marvellous medieval buildings. So much history in such a small country. I travelled all over the island sketching and painting everything from the megalithic ruins to churches. (of which there are three hundred and sixty-five) Being able to be a working artist at the beautiful Casa Rocca Piccolo was a real privilege, although sitting amongst all the antiquities, whilst Nicolas de Piro conducted the various tour parties through, I often felt like one of the exhibits. I was delighted that he included my work in his enormous book “The International Dictionary of Artists Who Have Painted Malta.” You are incredibly well travelled - do you have a favourite place that you have visited and drawn inspiration from? Malta is a favourite place because it is the only place I have gone to solely to paint. A real working holiday. I did enjoy sailing holidays in the Caribbean and in Dalmatian Islands. Coming into port I could sit on deck and sketch while the boat was being anchored etc. Again in the morning I would get up early and sketch before leaving the harbour. I wasn’t the most helpful crew on board! I loved India but it was three years before I made any work from my travels there. I had to work through so many ideas and images. It was overwhelming. Is there anywhere you haven’t been that you particularly desire to visit? Probably South America. I know I would find the diverse cultures of the countries fascinating. You have worked extensively teaching and running classes in the past. Do you miss this aspect of your work and do you have any plans to return to teaching? I enjoyed teaching very much but I would not like to do it again. To be a good teacher takes so much dedication, time and effort you have no time to do your own work. I really admire the artists I know who manage to do both successfully. I still do some workshops but not on a regular basis. You have done a lot of work for charity involving your art including ‘Art Aid’ in Poland and the ‘Cat Walk’ exhibition in Cheshire. How did you first get involved and have you got a favourite project that you were involved in? Art Aid To Poland came about through Christopher Samuels, Vicar of St Mary’s Handbridge, Chester. He described the terrible poverty he found there on a previous visit having taken a lorry load of clothes, food and medical supplies. His parish- ioners had raised enough money for one truck. I had the good fortune to have a new studio just built and so before I messed it up completely I decided to raise LIFE IS VERY BUSY AND AN ONGOING CHALLENGE. FORTUNATELY I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO ENJOYS COOKING! Sunset, Rhosneigr