Artist Statement
Since the age of 11, and my first introduction to working with clay on the wheel, I have been fascinated by the magical way a lump of clay can be transformed into a pot and inspired by the clays, softness, fluidity and ability to hold an impression.
I graduated from Camberwell School of Art where I had the privilege of learning my craft from Takashi Yasadu, Colin Pearson and Ewen Henderson, among others. Their work and teaching made a big impression on me.
I try to capture the essence of time in my work. My glazes are highly textural reminiscent of the kind of erosion and accumulation on objects found washed up on the beach. One of my favourite activities is beach combing and picking up gifts from the sea. My pots I hope have the same quality. My forms are simple, opening, bud like vessels. All are thrown on the wheel and sometimes dented or distorted while still soft, giving them a human quality. I continue to develop new colours and textures in my glazes and look for inspiration in my surroundings, on the beach and coastal landscapes.
I regularly exhibit and am invited to talk and enjoy demonstrating at events and for art groups. I share my passion and enjoyment of working with clay through my teaching and running of Forest Row School of Ceramics. I am passionate about keeping the craft alive and am proud to continue to inspire students, many of who have gone on to open pottery studios of their own.
History
I opened my first studio in May 1992 in Wandsworth London and then later in Surbiton, selling in galleries, craft fairs and exhibitions all over the country.
At the same time I taught at Wandsworth, Richmond and later Kingston, Adult Education Centres, which included; Summer Raku and Intensive Throwing Courses.
Between 2002 and 2010 my priorities changed and I had a brake from my pottery while we moved, to be near a Waldorf Steiner School in Forest Row for our son and renovated our house.
In April 2010 I set up a studio again in Forest Row. I remember how good it was to get my hands on clay again! I also started teaching from there and had such a lot of interest, that in January 2016 I moved here into a beautiful building in the grounds of Emerson College surrounded by Ashdown Forest. And set up Forest Row School Of Ceramics. I have lots more space including space for an outside kiln site, fulfilling a dream! I built a covered area with sold floor to house a wood and gas fired soda kiln built with Joe Finch and a small gas kiln. I now employ 2 of my students as technicians. We run: throwing and hand building weekly classes during term times, weekend workshops with prominent potters and am introducing a 3 month full time course in September this year with the help of some the countries leading potters.
Exhibitions and Craft Fairs
Forest Row Festival Potters Trail
Adam Partridge Auction
Emerson College Open Studio’s
The Rare Skills Gallery
Forest Row School Of Ceramics Opening
The Leach Pottery Gallery
Gallery Bellis Brighton
SeeArt Fair
Christmas Exhibition , Highgate Works
CPA Auction exhibition
The Bluemoon Gallery
Community Art Exhibition
Christmas Exhibition , Highgate Works Contemporary Craft Show
Contemporary Craft Show
Art In Action
Christmas exhibition, Highgate Works
Art In Action
Fire Works
Christmas exhibition Highgate Works
The New Craftsman Gallery
The Ashdown Gallery
Christmas exhibition, Highgate Works
Forest Row
Macclesfield
Forest Row
Forest Row
Forest Row
St Ives
Brighton
London
Forest Row
London
Tumbridge Wells
Forest Row
Forest Row
Hurstpierpiont
Michelham
Oxford
Forest Row
Oxford
Bury St Edmunds
Forest Row
St IvesCornwall
Forest Row
Forest Row
Sept 2017
Oct 2016
June 2016
April 2016
Jan 2016
Sept 2015
June 2015
June 2015
Nov 2014
June 2014
Aug 2014
Sept 2014
Nov 2013
Nov 2013
Aug 2013
July 2012
Nov 2012
July 2012
May 2012
Nov 2011
July 2011
May 2011
Nov - 2010
Most notable Galleries exhibited with Between 1992 – 2005
Montpellier Gallery
Alpha House Gallery
The Gallery Upstairs
Amalgam
The St Ives Potters Gallery
Cecilia Colman
Primavera
CPA Gallery London
The London Institute Gallery
The Round House Gallery
The Art Connoisseur Gallery
Quay Arts Centre
Artmonsky Arts
Rufford Craft Centre
Ombersley Gallery
Pam Schombery Gallery
The Taberacle Gallery
Memberships
Previous professional member of The Craft Potter’s Association
Previous member of The Sussex Guild of Craftsman
Publications
Potters Eleventh Edition by Craft Potters Association
Potters Twelfth Edition by Craft Potters Association
The Potter’s Guide to Ceramic Surfaces by Jo Connell
Electric Kiln Ceramics by Richard Zakin
British Studio Potters Marks by Robert Fournier
The Clay Craft Magazine
Sussex Style Magazine
Flybe Magazine