Hello
For me, handmade ceramics offer the wonderful opportunity to make truly individual and distinct objects from the subtle marks and shapes made by my hand to organic earthy glaze finishes from traditional wood-firing techniques.
I’ve always enjoyed the process of creating and I was instantly drawn to the slow gentle rhythm of ceramics. There is something quite amazing about using my hands, a few simple tools and heat to transform a humble lump of mud into a beautiful yet useful object that will last for years.
My work is a reflection of the connection I feel to the earth beneath my feet, rooted in a rural farm upbringing. From the materials I use to the classic, honest, down-to-earth designs that bring the clay’s character to life. Most of all, I love making pots that have purpose and enrich the everyday.
My wood-fired collection features glaze finishes of gentle flecks and speckles with contrasting texture and depth of natural surfaces. Wood-firing is a labour of love as each firing can takes days, yet whilst this traditional technique its fraught with uncertainty, the beautiful unique pots that emerge are worth the effort. In addition, my shades collection offers a colour palette of soft textures developed from my own glazes that take inspiration from around my studio in the heart of the rolling Dorset chalk hills. I exhibit my ceramics across the south of England and a member of MAKE Southwest and Find a Maker.
Working in stoneware, each piece is thrown on my potter’s wheel, finished and decorated by hand before being glazed and prepared for firing. My designs include soft gentle curves to wrap your hands around to tactile dimples. I use traditional techniques including hand pulling handles which are then cut and shaped to each individual piece.
I have always been drawn to a gentle earthy colour palette and have created my range of glazes to reflect the natural colours and textures around my studio. The Shades range of glazes are all created and mixed by me at the studio - the whole process and magic of making your own glazes fascinates me and I am always looking for new combinations to create that depth and interest.
And it wouldnt be right not to introduce the Pottery cat ..Boggit
Boggit noun Old Dorset folklore for a naughty household spirit that likes to cause mischief
He hasnt broken a pot yet - although he has tried!!