Annabeth began her formal creative studies in earnest as soon as she left school, though she says: I can't remember a time when I wasn't painting, drawing, writing, making or performing. I certainly honed my creativity and technical skills during my art school years but I always felt more than a little restricted by having to choose a discipline. Fine arts, performing arts or creative writing? I ended up falling into the fine art camp but it could easily have been another and by the time I got to masters level I went down the 3D design route, though I didn't quite fit in that box either! Happily, I've now learned that I don't have to be disciplined! I no longer restrict myself to any one creative pursuit so you're just as likely to find me crafting as painting and illustrating, writing poetry or even enjoying adventures in sound and music.
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new poetry collection coming soon!
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Nik started to learn guitar at school and soon realised he had a talent for bass. He says: I progressed into learning jazz bass after being inspired by many of the jazz greats and their skill for improvisation. Discovering that many of the artists I enjoyed were themselves influenced by Hindustani classical music drew me towards wanting to study and learn this art form. In 2006 I took up sitar lessons in London but in 2013 I spent four months in India, eventually finding myself a teacher in Delhi. This was the first of many trips and I continue to keep up a daily practice. Moving to Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant has given me more time to dedicate to my music and enables me to offer sitar lessons locally. Since moving to the area I've enjoyed the vibrant local music scene and look forward to more collaborations and performances.
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In 2023, Annabeth and Nik began a journey of exploration, blending Nik's sitar talent and knowledge of Hindustani music with Annabeth's Buddhist chanting practice in Pali and Sanskrit. They've since performed some of these compositions and are now continuing the adventure, offering longer healing sound baths.
If you're in the area, you can find Annabeth's upcycled crafts in our roadside honesty box in Llanrhaeadr as well as at fairs and car boot sales in the Oswestry and Welshpool areas during the summer season. You can check out where we'll be and when we're likely to be open on our Updates page!
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Annabeth also has a selection of crafts, greetings cards and poetry books all year round at the Dragons Craft Collective shop in Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochant village. Poetry books and greetings cards can be purchased in our online shop for postal delivery across the UK.
See what's available now: |