Julia Ashby Smyth is a professional illustrator and the curator at the Hodgson Loom Gallery, based at the Laxey Woollen Mills, which is currently hosting the ’Light’ open art competition.
She is married, and lives at the bottom of Glen Elfin, Ramsey.
As an illustrator, she specialises in creating drawings inspired by fantasy, fairy and folklore illustration, and her striking work has appeared on many locally-made products and book illustrations for institutions such as Manx National Heritage, stamps for the Isle of Man Post Office and labels for Okells and Fynodderee distillery.
What is your idea of a perfect meal?
It would be something like a big veggie Indian thali or a Mediterranean pesto picnic.
What is your favourite way to relax?
Reading, preferably in the bath, or doodling.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying boots, the chunkier the better. And pens, but I call that ’invaluable product research’.
Do you have any pets?
I just have one cat at the moment, but I’m working on that. There is an excess of ’lap to cat’ ratio in our house.
What is your greatest achievement?
The fact that I am still here.
What is your favourite time of the year?
Late April or early May, with the verdant acid green new leaves, arrival of the swallows, the smell of bluebells and bouncy lambs. I do love, however, the highly under-rated murky days of Winter.
What is the first job you ever had?
When I was 14, I had a summer job in the greenhouses at Ballakinnish nurseries, de-heading carnations and roses and inhaling greenfly.
Do you have any irrational fears?
I think that one day I will actually drive off the Mountain Mile, from the direction of Douglas to Ramsey, on purpose. Also, that I will suffocate whilst trying to take off a sweater.
What is your worst habit?
It really depends on who you ask. I am pedantic and a control freak. I leave hairclips everywhere, and if I find a good writing biro in the public arena, I will steal it.
What is your favourite book?
I read Shackleton’s Boat Journey every year. I am currently loving the Complete Works of Heironymous Bosch.
What is your favourite TV programme?
It would either be the Antiques Roadshow and M*A*S*H.
What is your favourite band/artist at the moment?
Wardruna, who are a Norwegian group that play Viking and old Norse-influenced music using traditional instruments.
What is your favourite part of the Isle of Man?
Ballaglass glen or Cashtal yn Ard.
What is the last show/band that you saw live?
Nile Rodgers and Chic.
If time/money were no object, what would be your perfect day?
A day with no agenda, on the Isle of Man. It wouldn’t matter what the weather, I would just go for a wander and a picnic.
Choose three people, dead or alive, to invite to dinner?
The explorer Ernest Shackleton, Heironymous Bosch and Nikola Tesla.
Which do you prefer:
Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?
Lord of the Rings.
Cats or dogs?
Cats.
Birthday or Christmas?
Birthday.
Quiet night in or night out?
Quiet night in.