A Star is Born

by Rob Smith

This is Jake Smithies and some of the pictures that were created by his hand. For me a remarkable story that had me in awe when actually seeing the artistic paintings and pictures that have been created by one so young. I’d been invited to visit the Smithies family, who reside right here in Burngreave.

Entering the house, it was Jake’s mother Anne who was keen to explain as the young man stood proudly waiting for his cue to reveal his works. “Since he was three Jake has shown a keen interest in drawing, and we as a family Rob, have been fortunate enough to be able to encourage him. As a ferocious drawer, Jake progressed over the years, into working with paints and crafts, and since August has been attending a weekly art class with Tony Byrne.”

A major result had been achieved when, at eight years old, Jake was entered into the Great Sheffield Art Show.

“This exhibition is an adult thing held at the Octagon Centre every year,” explains Anne, herself a semi-professional artist, who entered the exhibition’s competition as she has on other occasions.

“Over hundreds of adult artists enter pictures to be judged, and those judging had no idea how old Jake was at the time, although the entry official did and we were allowed to apply on Jake’s behalf and that is why they accepted his work,” added a mother with a true reason to be proud.

Jake’s use of water colours and keen eye for detail saw him draw a picture of his previous pet dog followed by a Boots landscape and a piece called Abstract Networks.

These pieces were entered into a competition of adult standard and were chosen as winners of the Great Sheffield Art Exhibition. Jake Smithies’ pictures can be seen in the exhibition from the 9th–11th July at the Octagon Centre, Sheffield.