Philip Smyth

Philip Smyth Update on my creative activity

“AI stole my job” - wood engraving printed on Hereford paper. My previous career was in IT and I’m rather enjoying gett...
16/06/2026

“AI stole my job” - wood engraving printed on Hereford paper. My previous career was in IT and I’m rather enjoying getting away from computers and ‘going analogue’ with 19th century printing technology - kind of opposite to the great David Hockney who we sadly lost last week. Having been a new tech fan for many years I’m feeling queasy about AI. My longer working title for this engraving was “AI wrote me a great CV then stole my job” because that seems to be the transition that has happened in a matter of months, this technology is developing so fast. It is amazing that we have turned sand into silicon and now we have taught it to think - just about. I hate becoming a Luddite, but I find myself wondering if we should try to stop this genie getting any further out of the bottle. Is that even possible though? I shall keep thinking and try to be more AI optimistic, I imagine that more of my art will hint at where I’m at. Also, definitely keeping Arthur, my little artists mannequin, gainfully employed in my studio.

A lovely ‘life imitating art’ moment on the way into the inspiring MC Escher exhibition at Somerset House in London. A g...
07/06/2026

A lovely ‘life imitating art’ moment on the way into the inspiring MC Escher exhibition at Somerset House in London. A great idea by the organisers. The exhibition has many wonderful works by the maestro and some fun interactive elements. Do seek it out, it’s on until September.

Early sketchbook stages of my current project: “AI Stole My Job”. I’m going to make this as both a wood engraving and an...
03/06/2026

Early sketchbook stages of my current project: “AI Stole My Job”. I’m going to make this as both a wood engraving and an etching. Having announced this I may stop procrastinating and get on with it ;-) My little artists mannequin cannot sit like this, he just does ‘awkward robot standing’ pose. I could really do with more help from him in working out the shadows. I’ll share further progress soon.

I’m delighted to say that the first batch of “Hosta La Vista!” wood engravings have sold, so printing a few more of the ...
02/06/2026

I’m delighted to say that the first batch of “Hosta La Vista!” wood engravings have sold, so printing a few more of the edition today. I get such joy from ‘boldly heading back to the 19th Century’ to use my Hopkinson and Cope Albion Press, made in London in 1854, so thought I would share a photo of her. I purchased her last year from Emily, daughter of the late Simon Brett. He was an astonishingly accomplished wood engraver and author, known to anyone even remotely associated with this craft and art form. I never met Simon but I have read his writing over and over, I hope he would be happy that I am looking after his press for the next custodian whilst enjoying my own wood engraving journey with her. I’m not sure Simon would approve the use of magnets instead of traditional press furniture, I just find that for a single block they keep everything in place simply and very effectively indeed.

One for those of a certain age who remember the OXO family and the Smash Martian Robots - classic TV ads of my youth. Po...
31/05/2026

One for those of a certain age who remember the OXO family and the Smash Martian Robots - classic TV ads of my youth. Posted today as it flashed up on my feed that its the birthday of the lovely late Lynda Bellingham who played the OXO family mum. This is a soft ground etching printed on Somerset Satin paper.

“Boiled Egg and Soldiers” - Sunday breakfast recommendation in print form ;-) Aquatint etching on Somerset Satin paper. ...
31/05/2026

“Boiled Egg and Soldiers” - Sunday breakfast recommendation in print form ;-) Aquatint etching on Somerset Satin paper.

“Hosta La Vista!” - my latest wood engraving. Couldn’t resist a return to snails, they have not featured in my work for ...
23/05/2026

“Hosta La Vista!” - my latest wood engraving. Couldn’t resist a return to snails, they have not featured in my work for a while. A memorial in visual pun form to the many hostas that no longer grow in our garden. I completed this on what is becoming an annual trip to Cherryburn in Northumberland. This is the birth place of Thomas Bewick, the pioneer of this wood engraving technique. It is inspiring to be there, the National Trust have a collection of his work on display (both the prints and the woodblocks he carved). It is also an opportunity to reconnect with my wood engraving mentor .daunt.58 and some fellow wood engraver pilgrims who make the same annual trip.

My new etching “❤️U”. Literally hot off the press, goodness it’s a lovely warm day for May in . Amazing how quickly Som...
22/05/2026

My new etching “❤️U”. Literally hot off the press, goodness it’s a lovely warm day for May in . Amazing how quickly Somerset Satin paper dries out in this heat - another half an hour and they will probably be dry enough to frame! Printed first three of the edition (second picture), one for my wonderful Wife, one for my fabulous Daughter and one for my lovely Mum. I can be a very soppy printmaker sometimes.

The Society of Wood Engravers have kindly selected my engraving for inclusion in their 88th annual exhibition. The exhib...
03/02/2026

The Society of Wood Engravers have kindly selected my engraving for inclusion in their 88th annual exhibition. The exhibition is now live at Bankside Gallery (by Tate Modern) and will then head off to various venues around the country until October. See the link in my bio for details of venues, it is well worth a look, there is some incredible work on display. If you cannot make it there is a link to view and purchase all of the work online.

Delighted that the lovely people at Green and Stone Gallery have included my wood engraving in their Summer Exhibition a...
30/07/2025

Delighted that the lovely people at Green and Stone Gallery have included my wood engraving in their Summer Exhibition at 122 and 251-253 Fulham Road. The exhibition runs daily from 28 July to 28 August 2025, opening hours are 10am to 5pm Mon-Sat. It is a fascinating show with a wide selection of very interesting work. Well worth a visit but if you cannot get there in person there is an online catalogue here: https://www.thegalleryatgreenandstone.com/se25-online-catalogue

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