Meet Myra Teak | Artist & Owner of Smebble

We had the good fortune of connecting with Myra Teak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Myra, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learnt from my business is that even the smallest pebble can start a ripple of change. That is, even small ideas, efforts, and actions matter, because they can start a chain reaction that transforms your life, your community, and the world.

For example, there was a small change I made in my daily routine during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, I knew I needed to start prioritizing my mental well-being more. For me, this meant carving out more time for creative self-expression, since I’ve always found fulfillment in making things with my own hands.

So I took action and began engaging in short daily art activities with my young son. We explored different ways of combining colors, experimented with new materials and tools, and let our imaginations run wild. As the days passed by, I spent more and more time immersing myself in art for the sheer joy of it.

It was at this point I knew I wanted to build a career centered around art. Furthermore, with the ongoing struggles in our community due to the pandemic, I knew I also wanted to leverage my art to give back and contribute to a better tomorrow. With these convictions in mind, I founded Smebble, a small business where I sell my art and donate at least 15% of profits from every sale to charities that assist, uplift and empower children in need.

What began as a small change in my daily routine has led to a completely new and fulfilling career path. Through Smebble, my art not only gives me a creative outlet, it also inspires and serves others. Each drop of paint carries a purpose, and every purchase contributes to a brighter future for children facing adversity.

Starting Smebble has taught me that you don’t need a massive budget, a large team, or years of experience to make a difference. When we’re mindful about how we spend our resources, whether it’s money, time, energy, or attention, we can all make choices that have a positive impact in the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Smebble is a small woman-run business in sunny Tucson, Arizona that offers a unique selection of colorful abstract artworks, handcrafted goods, and original designs. What sets us apart from others is both the art we offer and our focus on social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

With regard to the art, my unconventional use of watercolor creates unexpected textures and a dynamic sense of movement that is unusual for this medium. I’m not afraid of warping the paper by soaking it in paint, since I’ve developed a method for flattening it again once it’s dry. This means I can experiment with heavy pours and washes that others might avoid. One technique I’m particularly proud of is leaving thick layers of watercolor to dry around still objects, such as tea saucers or flowers. This creates fascinating imprints on the paper. When contrasted with energetic bursts and splatters of color in the background, these imprints create spaces of stillness that draw the eye and encourage exploration.

However, as I mentioned earlier, the focus at Smebble is not just on art; we’re also committed to social responsibility and giving back. At least 15% of proceeds from every product is donated to non-profits that provide tangible assistance to kids in need, with the benefiting charity noted on each listing. This includes Youth On Their Own, an outstanding local charity that helps homeless teens graduate high school.

I also believe in conducting business in a way that’s environmentally sustainable. Since packaging waste is a huge environmental problem, Smebble ships all products in paper-based and 100% curbside recyclable packaging. To prevent overproduction in my studio, I also upcycle practice paintings and unsellable products, transforming them into something new. A watercolor study might become a series of bookmarks, while a mini print with bent corners is cut into a set of gift tags. By saving such items from ending up in the trash, I reduce waste and create a culture of reuse in my business. So when you shop at Smebble, you not only get to add a unique pop of color and character to your home, office, or outfit, you can also take pride in the fact that your purchase is contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were to visit me in Tucson, I’d be thrilled to show off its character and culture by immersing them in our rich desert landscapes, vibrant art scene, and delicious culinary options. Here are some of the highlights from a week spent exploring this fascinating city with my bestie, who would undoubtedly end up understanding why I moved here and never left!

Getting my friend out into our local nature is a must, since the Sonoran Desert is such a unique and integral part of this region’s identity. I’d suggest going hiking so they can see saguaro, ocotillo, barrel cacti, and other iconic plants from this area in their natural environment. Nearby options include Sabino Canyon and Finger Rock, which are some of my family’s favorites. I’d also take them to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum so they can get a feeling for the wide variety of native plants and animals (they also have an indoor playhouse and stingray touch exhibit, which are great for families with kids).

If my friend is interested in exploring the Tucson art scene, I’d plan some walking tours in downtown Tucson and the 4th Avenue shopping district. This gives them an opportunity to enjoy a variety of incredible street art as we stop in at small businesses offering goods created by local artists, such as Old Town Artisans, Popcycle, and Antigone Books. I’d also make sure we take a drive up to La Encantada in the Catalina Foothills, where I love visiting the gallery of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG). It exhibits and sells work by over 100 local artists across the Southern Arizona region.

At some point, we’ll definitely need to recharge with good food and coffee, so I’d take them to some of my personal favorites: Seis Kitchen (regional Mexican cuisine), Sauce (pizza, pasta & paninis), Time Market (European-style market with a restaurant, bakery, and bar), Raging Sage (small micro-roastery and coffee shop), and Dedicated (completely gluten-free bakery). And this is just a small taste of the delicious culinary options that Tucson has to offer. Foodies really do thrive here, so whatever my friend craves, we’re sure to find something that hits the spot!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m fortunate in that I have a strong network of family and friends who’ve supported me throughout this venture, but I’d particularly like to dedicate this shoutout to my husband. Starting any new business involves taking a risk, and he not only encouraged me to go for it, he has also poured his own knowledge and skills into the venture. As someone who’s capable with a range of technologies and devices, he’s helped me learn many new skills, such as product photography and image post-processing. He’s also great at building things from scratch and solving problems, as evidenced by the wonderful art press and studio storage furniture he made for me. We’re both out-of-the-box thinkers, so whenever I run into some kind of difficulty, we brainstorm possible solutions together and almost always come up with something that works. I feel incredibly grateful to have such a helpful and supportive partner.

Website: www.smebble.com

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