Hi
A little bit about me......
​ I first found clay when I was 19, my very creative Aunt attended a local evening class, I simply tagged along with her. Little did I know it would be the start of a journey for little old me. A Fine Art degree, specialising in Ceramics, followed.​​​
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Whilst at Bretton Hall I drew a life model who was pregnant, being able to draw her ever changing body was a true privilege, the bodies shapes and curves has fascinated me ever since.
My female form pieces were born, these I have always made, various shapes and forms, they have evolved as I have.
Lately, after watching The fabulous Great Pottery Throw Down, I decided to add the breasts, these I feel complete the pieces.
Mother Earth is the name of my current range, very apt as they are all female and marked using only natural combustibles, from the Earth.
Pinching the clay, I create various other forms, from Earth pots, to birdies and shoals of fish, all smoke fired, creating the magical marks on the pieces.
I create in my attic studio, hidden away where I blissfully play with mud. My little old electric kiln has served me well, housed safety in my porch. It came to me second hand and has been lovingly cared for ever since.
Family is massively important to me, my greatest ambassadors are my family, I will always be grateful for their continued support, my son's have always encouraged me, loving even my ugliest of creations.... My husband is the best PA ever, he is my carpenter, my driver, my stall builder, my everything.
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Living in fabulous Yorkshire, is good for the soul, I am able to walk my dog whilst taking in all the wonderful scenery, Happy Days.
My inspirations......
Mother Earth
When I was pregnant with my first son I knew a career change was in order, I'd always loved my evening class in pottery, so a teaching career was my goal when I entered education. From my foundation course to my Degree, I drew life models, these ladies would prove to have a lasting creative impression on me.
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One model I drew throughout her pregnancy, tiny bump to a very bulbous round belly, she was amazing, I loved the way the body changed week on week. I felt truly blessed to document her progress.
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On my graduation I was expecting my second son and my own body evolved, enabling me to embed the form. I always stopped the coil pots at below the breast, then after watching The Great Pottery Throw down I decided to add the breasts, this I feel has completed the forms.
The surface design and texture has always been a struggle, however after a long journey, along many routes I feel like I have arrived after playing with smoke. Smoke firing really fits my pieces. I love the way the smoke marks the clay, like we have scars and bruises showing the journey we have made in life.
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Animals
I have always made birds and various animals, these were highly glazed with added motifs. Currently I am simplifying the forms and they look even better smoke fired. The birds and fishes are elevated using metal rods, they are then secured onto wooden base, I find local driftwood with it's worn surface perfect, although a highly polished piece of oak is equally stunning. Which would you prefer?
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​For commissions and any further information please message me.