Inspired by my love of wandering, drawing and daydreaming by the coast, I hand build ceramic vessels influenced by the sea, beaches and cliffs around Wales and Scotland. The decoration evokes shorelines, waves and landscape featuring my distinctive vivid turquoise glaze.My latest work takes influences from ancient rock carvings and artefacts.
The work I currently produce is hand built from a variety of stoneware clays. The slab built bottles are created using thinly rolled clay to create finished pieces which are light and elegant. Coiled bottles are spherical in form, but each one is completely different due to the nature of the construction method.
The bottles made are reminiscent of human forms having defined shoulders and narrow necks. The glazes and decorations are then added to evoke landscapes, seascapes and marks found in the landscape. The coiled forms are reminiscent of washed and worn beach pebbles. I use a dry turquoise glaze as well as impressed marks highlighted with copper carbonate and over glazed with a satin white glaze. Using a variety of clays, the glaze is altered from a vivid turquoise to a washed out blue.
During 2016 and 2017 I have taken part in Helfa Gelf, the art trail for North Wales and I will be opening the studio again in 2018.
Along side making I have delivered workshops with Bluecoat Display Centre, Kirkby Gallery and Ruthin Craft Centre.
Training: BA (Hons) Contemporary Crafts, Crewe and Alsager College (Manchester Metropolitan University)
In 1996 I set up my first workshop in Chester, but have also been based in Liverpool and am currently working from a studio at home in Hawarden, Flintshire.
Spring 2019 Helfa Gelf Artists, Theatr Clwyd, Mold
January 2019 60@ Bluecoat, Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool
Christmas 2017 'Feast', Harding House Gallery, Lincoln
July 2017 Summer Exhibition, Made Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland
May 2017 'Flow', Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge
September 2016 'Under the Same Sky' Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge
Christmas 2016 Exhibition of Festive Treasure 2016 Emporium Gallery, Lichfield
Summer 2016 Snapdragon Solstice, Old Chapel Gallery, Herefordshire
Summer 2016 'Coast' at Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno
Summer 2016 'Crafted' at Kirkby Gallery, Kirkby, Merseyside
September 2015 “Time and Tide”, Heart Gallery, Hebbden Bridge
September 2015 Regional Print Centre, Undegun, Wrexham
Summer 2014 Display cases in the foyer at Oriel Wrecsam
February 2013 Grosvenor Open, Grosvenor Museum, Chester