Jane's Journey (Chapter 1)
I spent my last year in uni trying to learn how to use a kick wheel and making my Moelfre series of clay shapes aka 'dinosaur eggs' (see images below). After graduating I talked my way in to a seasonal job at Winchcombe pottery working with a great bunch of potters who were more than prepared to give me a few basic lessons in throwing. (Ray Finch, Eddie Hopkins, Fergus and Ed)
I then enrolled on to a ceramics course run by Jack Doherty and Alistair Young. My throwing skills progressed slowly but during this year I was hugely inspired by staff, students and visiting tutors (Frank Hamer, Jeff Oestrich, Anna Lambert and John Pollex to name but a few!!)
Not long after graduating from this awesome course I managed to talk my way onto a two year apprenticeship at Whichford Pottery near Shipston on Stour. It was here that my throwing skills really started to take shape. I had one to one tutoring and had the chance to go to Hook Norton pottery to get work experience with Russell Collins and his talented staff.
I have been hugely fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and the people I have met and places I have worked have filled me with inspiration, joy and skills.
Great Pottery Throw Down 2015
Last year I was a contestant on the GPTD and I was lucky enough to get to the semi finals. It was a fantastic experience and I met so many brilliant and talented people. The work that I produced was very different to what I would normally make but I had the opportunity to 'have a go' at techniques that I have not used before (I also used the wheel blindfolded!) It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am very proud to have been a part of the programme which has helped reignite an interest in British pottery.
Clay not only gets under your nails but it gets under your skin!
Episode 1- Nesting bowls
Episode 2- Pansy sink
Episode 5- Chandelier
Moelfre 1 (1997) Aerial view.
Based on the background to my childhood. The Moelfre series of pots are made using press moulded coloured forms.
Yr Ymwelwyr/ The Tourists (2002)
Sculptural experiment in joining thrown forms and displaying them in groups.
(largest 36")
Tile spot test
Chandelier (re hung!)
Moelfre 2 (1997)
Number 2 in a series of 7 clay forms (9" x 14")
Yr Ymwelwyr/ The Tourists (2002)
Placing these garden sculptures around the grounds of Cors-y-Gedol I discovered how 'nosey' these forms looked- like tourists peering into our garden.
Raku bottles.
Garden sculpture
Moelfre 3 (1997)
Clay detail- a combination of oxides, pigments and ash glazes.
Yr Ymwelwyr/ The Tourists (2002)
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