Overview

Each piece I make represents a journey. A sensual journey without words and labels enabling expression of the heart and mind. Coiling is a calming and contemplative practice, which enhances the inherent qualities of the making process; the pleasure of the emerging form on the hands, the sensation, the feel, the touch, the intimate connection between material and maker, form taking preference over function.

I draw my inspiration from many sources, primarily the natural world, its movements, shapes and colours ,also from the ancient world of found clay artefacts and treasures.

My work teaches me about acceptance in life. Not to chase the fruits of my labours or be too disappointed about unexpected results ; inevitable breakages, exploding pots etc, but rather to try to learn from the experience and simply enjoy it. It is a challenge with uncertainty at every stage. Art mirroring life...

I begin each piece with an idea of the profile of the pot that I want to create, original ideas being recorded as rough sketches. The structure of the pot is built by joining coils together, through gentle manipulation of the clay the form emerges. As each piece takes shape the textures and decorative design develop, finer details added using techniques such as scrafitto and appliqué.  All work twice fired with an additional firing for those pieces enhanced with gold lustre. Glazes are mixed by hand and applied by brush using resist techniques .