Becky & Hannelore

Artists & educators

Becky Tough and Hannelore Smith are both practising artists and experienced educators who work at Artpocket Studios in the heart of Norwich. Artpocket deliver art, design and craft courses to adults and children from their studios in Norwich.

What is it about your making skill that makes you enjoy it so much?

I enjoy seeing people’s sense of achievement and helping them to take on new challenges. It is the most rewarding part of teaching others to make.

What does it mean to you personally and the way you live your life?

We can’t possibly be good tutors without keeping our own creative practice going.

Becky: it is important to me to communicate my experience and ideas through imagery and objects – to explore what’s beneath.

Hannelore: My creative practice is embedded in me. I am always coming across compositions and continually thinking about my concepts and ideas as I go about my day.

What has been your greatest making achievement?

Without a doubt our greatest achievement is always helping others to achieve their own creative potential. In 2014 we collaborated and made a short, animated film. It was great to combine our creative skillset and find our way around a whole new skill (stop-motion animation) together. We were also very pleased to be nominated for a Norfolk Arts Award in 2018.

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?

Becky: My favourite pieces of equipment are carbon paper and a Gelli-plate. I love the excitement of print media, the big reveal and the potential to layer up and work into.

Hannelore: For me it has to be the instant gratification and versatility of the Gelli-plate. You can pretty much print with and onto anything. To take the pace down I enjoy using my deckle and mould for papermaking.

What is your favourite making website or blog and why?

We don’t follow any blogs, but we do follow loads of our creative friends on Instagram. It is great to see their creative projects and ideas develop and the wide range of approaches they take to the media and materials.

Why do you like being part of the Festival?

We enjoy celebrating the diverse creativity within the region. The Festival enables us to meet a new audience and to share our creativity with other makers.

What is your advice to a complete beginner who wants to have a go at your craft?

Try everything and don’t be afraid to mix it up!