As part of the Eynsham Trail of Exhibiting artists I will be holding an outside exhibition and sharing the space with Anne Macdonald's Seascape paintings and Ros Duffy's Art of Glass.
With Julia Loken's botanical art also on Tanners Lane we offer a safe rich experience for Artweeks' viewing. Ros Duffy will be exhibiting her glass work on the drive making the most of the natural light outside. Though far from the sea Anne Macdonald's Seascapes will heighten our imagination and transport us to the far reaches of Scotland and the raw wind and weather of remote places. The garden will offer opportunities to stage my ceramics in a natural setting which will enable them to be seen in the best light. I am hopeful that with good weather I can open the doors of the studio so my workspace can be seen and showcase my Raku alongside its outside kiln.
New Zealand always an influence, was where I was inspired to ‘pot’ and was lucky enough to learn from one of the best. That was 45 years ago! Bringing a lifetime of ideas to fruition I am rarely out of my studio.
My studio is in the back garden in The Chicken Run, where I produce an eclectic mix of Stoneware both wheel-thrown and hand-built work.
The chooks are an inspiration and take a keen interest in everything that is going on eagerly wandering into the studio and reluctantly leaving as they are shooed out.
Stoneware clay will take the heat of the oven and the extreme weather outside. I love throwing open forms such as bowls experimenting with glazes and textures. From simply thrown bowls to those with expressive lips, jugs with ‘Hand’-les or a seated animal on the rim.
Functional and aesthetic hand-built bowls and garden features, include windchimes, animals balanced on stones; garden birds on bird baths made of coils, dots and the imprint of leaves and stunning glazing. Each piece unique.
Quirky animals especially hares often feature in my thrown and hand-built work. Personalising these they come alive and pose for me as I make them, I have produced a Jazz band, hiker hares with knapsacks, sporty and dancing hares.
Summertime weather has prompted me to Raku. So organic, Raku is instantaneous and pure chemistry in action as the glaze firing can be seen in front of your eyes. Raw nature is an inspiration Animals and birds in Raku come to life with the natural blackening of the unglazed work cracking and lustre of the glazing and highlighted imprints of leaves.
I have produced commissioned work, individualised and personalised and am open to challenges.
Visit my website www.chickenrunstudio.co.uk to see the extent of my work.
I enjoy ‘one on one’ or ‘one on two’ tuition in the studio, where I can support the development of skills and ideas for beginners to more experienced students. Equally I have run group workshops for up to 10 exploring handbuilt techniques. Encouraging creativity in others and sharing ideas is fulfilling in itself. – and then there is the surprise when the kiln is opened!