Who are we?
The Smart Tart label was created by me, Karen Arthur, in the early 1990's. I have been sewing since I was a tiny child and have always had a real passion for fabrics, amassing a vast collection over the last twenty-odd years. I trained in Fine Art, painting and printmaking, studying in Wiltshire then Western Australia, before moving to Falmouth School of Art here in Cornwall where my love of colours and patterns informed my work. I never stopped sewing, and made things from my vintage fabric collection finally settling on making bags - a great way of producing wearable art whilst solving some logistical problems I have encountered with other bags. I live in St Just in the far west of Cornwall, and work at home with my cats, who love reclining amongst the fabric. I recently closed the gallery to make it easier to concentrate on making, so my work is only available online now. Recently I have resumed painting, and can't believe I have managed without it for so long! I am inspired by trips abroad, particularly to Morocco, where the decorative nature of my surroundings really gets me excited. I split my time between bag making and painting, loving both activities, and I think it shows in my work. Please visit the new online gallery to see my paintings, prints and cards, and also the work of other artists and makers who have had their work for sale here in my gallery in St Just, including Fine Art Textiles by Sue Dove, hand hooked wool rugs by Ruth Holden and silver jewellery by Katarina Sjostedt-Hughes.
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