Ceramic Work
Recent Work (2025):
I make individual pots that are largely thrown on the wheel, and are functional and decorative. I enjoy working with forms that have several sections or elements (such as moon flasks, lidded jars, footed bowls and teapots ), taking on the challenge and precision of making things fit together. I work with a ‘fluted agate ware’ process: throwing with coloured clay swirling through the growing form of the pot, and then carving into the surface to reveal a unique pattern for each piece. This keeps me continually curious as to what will emerge, and how I can add quieter areas of plain colour to create balanced designs. For many years I concentrated on working in porcelain - more recently, I am mixing the porcelain with foraged clay. Inspiration comes from patterns seen in shells; weathered rocks, and other natural forms, but once in the studio with clay materials , the ‘what if’ questioning becomes the driving force for developing work.
2020 - 2025 Working with foraged clay: During the first Covid lockdown , I started experimenting with clay dug from my garden and surrounding area of Rode(Somerset) to find a range of forms and firings that were successful. This was initiated as a project with Somerset Art Works , looking at issues of sustainability and a more site specific practice. Starting with low firing temperatures I made terracotta moon-flasks, but found the clay would also fire much higher ( Cone 6, 1240) for a range of functional items such as bowls, jugs, mugs, teapots. I formulated my own glazes for this ware, largely using the clay itself and ash from my wood burning stove ( with some additional fluxes).
2010 - 2025: A return to throwing in porcelain, using coloured clay, slips and glazes.
1995-2010: During an MA (1994/5), I became interested in making ceramic sculpture: anthropomorphic figures and female forms.
