Welcome to my site.
My name is Ann Neyt and I live in Belgium.
Ever since I was a little girl I enjoyed working with needle and thread. During my spare time, I was always knitting, crocheting or sewing. When I was in third grade, the teacher even appointed me to help other girls who were struggling with their needlework.
Life goes on, I am blessed with 5 children and decided to homeschool them. During those years I knitted all of their sweaters and sewed some of their clothes.
Once they left the nest, I got more interested into textile art. I took several classes, bought interesting books and continue to learn and explore.
Making portraits of people has always had a special place in my heart so I studied and learned the skill of portraiture using colored pencils. Much to my regret, I had to stop due to problems with my arm. My motto is: ‘If one path comes to an end, don’t focus on this but look for another one.’ So I started looking for other options. Imagine my delight when I realized I could paint and sketch with thread, using my cherished sewing machine. I could thread sketch big portraits and paint them with inktense pencils and blocks, which caused no problem with my arm. I apply the thread sketching technique amongst others in my nature works. Who would have thought that a sewing machine has so many applications! Furthermore I enjoy to hand embroider small portraits.
Then some time ago, after watching the documentary The True Cost, and other documentaries about the pollution fast fashion is causing, my way of creating took a turn. I decided to stop buying clothes altogether. Instead, I would make them myself for the three of us who are still at home, in a creative way, adding hand embroidery to give them a special touch.
I am always looking for inspiration to create new work. In the same vein as ‘visible mending’ I like to be inspired by existing things in my day-to-day life. Combining and altering patterns and ideas, so I can reshape them into something new. Creating my own unique items to share on this website. In turn, I hope Artedofio will inspire you as well.