This is my first Arts Week exhibition and I am excited to be able to show my latest work using red terracotta clay. I decorate clay vessels with slip (liquid clay) and natural oxides using traditional slipware methods in a contemporary way. I throw the vessels on my pottery wheel at my small home studio. I will sometimes throw individual components, altering, assembling and hand building until I have unique and unusual finished items. Other times, I’m happy making simpler forms playing with the beautiful effects coloured slips can bring to an uncomplicated piece. I will also be exhibiting some stoneware and porcelain vessels.
I have been making pottery for nearly 5 years after a couple of decades of studying and working in a research capacity in a medical sciences environment. I have studied ceramics, part time over 4 years, in Warwickshire and set up a home studio early on having become obsessed with clay and making. I enjoy going to countrywide ceramics events and talking to more accomplished potters about their methods. I also seek out and attend various workshops with masters of their craft from whom I have learned new or improved techniques. This has included raku; working with porcelain; portrait and animal sculptures, and slipware. This continued learning is not only enjoyable and such fun but also develops my skills further and builds my confidence to explore and push my ideas to new boundaries.