The 100 Smitties - Project Journey
⇩ read the stories here ⇩
2014 - Making the first Smitties.
Once upon a time in Amsterdam..
the Smitties' journey began.
Do you ever have the feeling that something has to come out, that is hidden deep within? The first Smitties symbolise my struggle with showing myself and my work. Looking at them, they give me instant joy and encouragement.
With their genuine and authentic additude they've told me:
It's ok to be you.
Photos by Michiel A. Pappot
2017 - The adventure starts!
Taking The Smitties outside for a walk for the first time.
The Smitties were meant to explore the world. Going outside and being in nature or exploring a city... showing themselves and looking for others just like them.
2017 - Trying to make more Smitties and failing completely.
Sometimes you want something so badly... you fail completely. This happened when I tried making Smitties' molds for the first time.
I suppose it's ok if that happens. No great succes happened without failing, but it's really frustrating when you're in the middle of the process. I knew I wanted to make more Smitties, but I still had to figure out what was the best way.
Looking back, they look strangely tall and akward... not at all the look I was going for. I was not ready to give up! I just needed to take a break and focus on something else.
2017 - Making the first Smittie lamps.
So when one thing is not working... then just continue with something else!
Making Lamps sparked my interest when I first saw the instagram account of the ceramic artist Choi Ho Jun. Her lamps make me laugh, they fuel my imagination every time. Truly an inspiration.
2018 - I found a way!
At the end of 2017 I went to visit a friend in New York and there I got the inspiration I needed.
In a store called "The Complete Sculptor" (just my kind of shop) I found this plate with all these facial expressions.
I thought immediately, if there was something I wanted to be very good in, it's making faces. I remembered making the first Smitties and how frustated I was making their little faces.
The idea came to me to make a canvas, like a 'basic Smittie'. This way I can practice and improve my skills. And so, I developed the Smittie Mold.
2019 - Starting the 100 Smitties Project.
The idea to make 100 Smitties was one year later, in 2019. 100 different Smitties with different faces and animals suits. Giving them each their own character.
In the beginning the smittie were unstable and I still had to learn how to make their suits and faces. Often, they fell like a domino effect they almost all broke and I had to mend them.
I had some improvements to make, but experimenting and learning was the whole idea of this project, so therefor it was already a success.
2019 - In the picture!
This project didn't only mean improving my ceramic sculpture skills. Also my photo taking skills needed an upgrade.
I bought a new phone with a super-deluxe camera. This way I could take the Smittie outside and have always a camera with me. Next, was learning about composition and lighting.
I always try to tell their story. To let their true nature come out. As far as I can tell they are meant to go out and be the perfect models.
2020 - Multiply shall you!
My dream was to make a production of sculptures. In order to do that I needed to improve my mold-making skills.
And that is easier said than done... but in the end it worked!
I'm very proud of the first collection. They have their own little characters and are gloomy with a bit of hope. Ready to explore the world!
2021 - Playing hide and seek.
I think for everyone 2020 and 2021 were strange years. Suddenly everything came to a halt. Eventhough I could still use the atelier to make Smitties, it was a lonely and sad period.
I thought, what game can I invent with the Smitties that would lighten the mood a bit? Find the Smittie and other games were a good diversion.
2021 - Moving to Italy!
Talking about adventure! We moved to Italy.
All Smitties were wrapped and packaged separately. Neatly stored in boxes to survive the 20 hours busride.
My aunt, Dutch ceramist Marja Hooft, gave me a small oven to bring with me. I have a space dedicated for making ceramics, and I've installed it immediatly in my own little studio.
Northern Italy provides the perfect place to make Smittie pictures. Everyday there is something new to discover.
2022 - Smitties in all forms.
Tiny Smitties, Smittie Brooches, Magnets, Coloring pages, The Smitties Calendar, Customized & Personalised Smitties... and much more to come.