Clay is a malleable material – alive and responsive when in its raw state. It gets progressively harder to manipulate as it dries and becomes fragile. After bisque firing in a kiln the clay emerges hard and strong ready for glazing and decorating.
As a maker I go through many stages – it is a long process from start to final piece.
Long experience allows me to experiment widely and play with the material to convey my ideas. I have a selection of favourite tools – some from my kitchen and sewing basket and some from the factory. I scratch, paint, draw, brush, beat, roll, inlay and throw to achieve shape and texture. Applying colours, splashes of slips, stains, raw pigments and oxides come at all stages of making. I now use an electric kiln fired to earthenware temperatures.
I have used soda, raku, stoneware gas reduction and wood firings both in the UK and in America.
My current workspace is the result of a collaboration with another artist to refurbish an old stable block in Hastings Country Park creating four studios.
The comparative isolation of the studios has been offset by running Walking Talking and Drawing workshops which enable artists and non-artists to share in a critical dialogue about what they see and feel when outside in nature.
My work has been shown widely both here and abroad. I have been a consultant for the Crafts Council for fifteen years and have worked as a mentor, teacher, advisor and coach for a variety of organisations and colleges nationally.
