About me
The journey begins
My fascination with clay started when I was 4 years old, making coil pots from raw clay dug from our garden. This led to my interest in the texture and form and subsequent exploration of the various ways of working with clay.
It was years later at University in Stoke on Trent that I developed my expertise in the numerous and intricate techniques involved with successful slip casting, usually thought of as a mass production process. The satisfaction at first production of my own pieces of slip cast work convinced me that this was a process that I wanted to master, then finishing each piece to give it a unique quality.
In 2002 I Graduated from Staffordshire University with BA Honours Degree specialising in ceramics. I then set up my Ceramics Studio in Reading from where I now produce handmade ceramics from original designs through to finished products.
Recent and current work
Based on my designs, I first make an original in plaster from which I hand make a plaster mould. The earthenware pieces are then cast in these moulds for approximately six to nine minutes giving them a delicate quality.
During the subsequent hand finishing I consider how to give each piece of work its individuality, be it with holes, resin or decals to add subtle changes or distinguishing features, so that each item may stand apart but retain the original design concept. As an example, many of my vases are pierced to create an object that is intentionally functional but at first glance may be seen as non-functional. This can be seen, where the vase contains the flower but also displays the stem that is so often unseen.
Whilst principally using ceramics, I have worked other materials into my designs, including highly polished resin and rubber and more recently copper wire, decals and oxides.
Future developments
I am influenced by contemporary minimal design trends and experimenting with casting processes so that my work is continually developing and evolving, with functionality influencing my design. This year I have introduced slab formed pieces that compliment my current slip cast work. I shall extend this by exploring how the mix of fine cast ceramics can interact with various slab forms.
After creating a body of relatively medium sized work in the future I hope to focus on creating larger pieces. I am interested in exploring small batch production and limited editions in the future, continuing my journey of discovery.