Artist Statement

My love of wildlife and the natural world have always been an important part of my life. They are my inspiration to create ceramics which reflect the beauty and delicate detail found in nature, such as a dragonfly wing, a seahorse, or an oak leaf. Some of my favourite subjects are insects, small animals and sea life, particularly the bee, dragonfly, owl and seahorse.

All my ceramics are handmade using sculpting and hand building techniques, so each piece is different and unique. I make single items, for example individual bees and dragonflies, then incorporate them into larger functional pieces such as large bowls, lidded boxes, plaques and vases. After each piece is biscuit fired I use brush on stoneware glazes, applying them in various combinations to create unique, subtle colour effects to the glazes. Some of the glaze fired pieces have lustres applied over the glazes which are fired for a third time to achieve a unique colour and sparkle to each piece. A lustre such as mother of pearl creates the iridescent sheen of a bee’s wing.

I studied ceramics at North Staffordshire University, specialising in large sculptural ceramics. After graduating I taught for eight years while also exhibiting my ceramics in solo and group exhibitions. I create my work in my studio in Hayfield set amongst the stunning landscape of the High Peak which is always an inspiration to me.

My ceramics reflect the beauty of the natural world, making a unique and lasting gift.