Ceramics
In the late 1990s I took an evening course in ceramics at Strode Collage with the lovely Pauline Watson, who sadly passed away in 2022. Those classes were wonderful, and when I held the cold terracotta clay in my hands that first time, it felt as it I was revisiting a distant memory, I think it must be in my DNA somewhere.
With Pauline as my guide, I learnt how to hand-build pots, glaze them and pop them in the kiln to fire them, transforming the clay into ceramics.
When 2021 rolled around, I decided it was high time to learn a bit more about this ancient craft and signed up for a workshop with Jo Dove, pictured here in her studios in Wiveliscombe.
Jo taught me how to throw a pot and lots more. If you can get on to a workshop with Jo you'll be really pleased - she's a great teacher.
Jo is a very talented and (thank goodness) patient teacher who taught me how to throw pots at the wheel - these are some of my makes. I'm still learning.
I adore the chicken plates (below) made using the 'paper resist' technique. My throwing skills are in need of more practice - both plates started off the same size...
Rachel and I have recently bought a second-hand kilnAND WHEEL - so watch this space!
Terra Sigilata
Below is a hand-built coil pot, made in this traditional way for centuries. The pot is glazed with several layers of fine clay slip and burnished. It's then bisque fired, before wrapping in various elements - in my case copper wire, horse hair and - yes - banana skins, and then fired slowly in a smouldering sawdust kiln. Wonderful!
