Anita works in ceramics and textiles. She graduated with a degree in textiles from NCAD and went on to discover ceramics while doing her H.Dip for teaching. She is inspired by the natural and historical heritage that surrounds her in the Boyne Valley, her work is full of colour and joy. She creates ceramics for indoor and outdoor spaces and has exhibited twice at Sculpture in Context in the Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Anita has attended Showcase in the last four years and her work is now available to purchase in many retail outlets around the country. After a long career in teaching, Anita left in 2020 to pursue her lifelong dream of working as a full-time artist. She is delighted with her decision and is now busy doing what she loves.
I’m usually out in my studio by 9am. My day varies depending on what I have on and what orders I have. I could spend an hour or two preparing slabs on my slab roller for my Words from the Heart or I could be glazing. If it’s Monday I will do some preparation for my Pottery class that evening. If I’m working on textiles, I might do free machine embroidery on some of my designs.
I always leave the hand-stitching until evening time when I’m watching tv. I find it hard to sit and do nothing so hand-stitching is a great form of therapy. I might have a Zoom course with DCCI or my LEO. I’m also currently chair of a new creative collective called Meath Made so I could have an online meeting. My favourite days are spent making rather than paperwork but that has to be done too.
Try building your business up gradually while working part time. This gives you a chance to see if you can make a viable business from your creative ideas. I worked a job sharing as a teacher for a year or two before leaving. Do courses with DCCI and your Local Enterprise office. I have learned so much and also met a whole new network of friends as a result.
Anita Reynolds
Having the freedom to plan my own day (after a career following a bell and timetable as a teacher) is wonderful!
I also enjoy the variety of my work. If I’m tired of working with clay I can switch to textiles. I love creating with my hands and I love the excitement of new ideas and bringing them to fruition. The possibilities are endless. My only limitation is time!!
My beautiful giant hand blown water jug from Jerpoint glass Co. Kilkenny. A treat to myself on a recent visit to their wonderful studio. It sits on my dinner table every day and brings joy!
What other maker in your discipline do you most look up to?
I love Joanne Robey’s quirky sculptural ceramics and Michele Hannan’s beautiful porcelain jewellery.
In textiles I love the joyful art of Karen Pleass.
Evening time. I’m a bit of a night owl.
How do you switch off?
I love spending time in my garden doing some weeding or planting or a walk with a friend. A good netflix series on the tv.
Doing a workshop in a new craft I haven’t tried before with friends.
A day out to an historic house and gardens and a visit to a nice cafe.
What’s the first thing you do when you leave studio?
