My journey as a potter began at the heels of my grandmother, who, in my early years, shared with me her love of working with clay.  I was given an outlet that I could completely immerse myself in and forget about everything else.  Over the years, I have developed my techniques, helped in part by the new experiences offered to me during my time on the Channel 4 show, The Great Pottery Throw Down, where I reached the quarter finals.

 

My creative process has evolved into a harmonious blend of techniques, combining wheelthrown craftsmanship with the intimate touch of hand building.  The wheel offers precision and symmetry, while hand-building invites the organic and tactile. My obsession with the natural world is clear to see in every piece that I create with inspiration coming from corals, fungi and fossils and a life spent scavenging and beachcombing comes through in textures which replicate found items.

 

I fire my pots either in a woodfired manabigama or in an electric kiln.  The alchemy of woodfiring fascinates me - the transformation that occurs within the fiery depths of the kiln, as wood ash interacts with clay and glaze is something out of my control and thus feels like magic.   Woodfiring is a reminder of the profound connection between the elements – earth, fire, and air;  it gives an unpredictability and uniqueness which brings me great joy.  In contrast, electric firings serve as a controlled environment where I meticulously craft the foundations of my work. In these firings, I am able to experiment with glaze chemistry, pushing the boundaries of colour and texture. Crafting my own glazes has become an art form in itself, as I seek to create surfaces that complement the natural aesthetics of each piece.

 

In my creations, you'll find a celebration of the imperfections and irregularities that are a natural part of handmade items.  I embrace the fact that you can see my touch on the clay – marks left in the making process that are there forevermore.  I aim to create pieces which are both functional and sculptural.  Through my pottery, I hope to share with you the beauty of this ancient craft and its timeless relevance in a contemporary world.