rosette brooches

After doing much research on rosettes, I decided to create some porcelain brooches inspired by the equine rosettes, I used JAB porcelain, porcelain under glaze and a transparent high fire glaze. Once the basic shapes were created I scored and joined the pieces together and biscuit fired to 1004c. I  applied the coloured underglaze and coated them in the clear glaze. Once dried I fired to 1220c with a 15 min soak.

The luster detail was applied onto the solvent cleaned brooches. I used Duncan Bright Gold and fired to 700c with no soak. So here they are !

Masked Up

 I've just completed a new piece of ceramic to be entered in an art exhibition. The theme is WATER and the environmental impact that we have on polluting our oceans, the theme raises political and ecological concerns. My design depicts the most powerful and largest marine mammal, the Killer Whale, but even this mammal succumbs to wearing a filter mask to filter out the many toxins being released into our environment and water. The idea of it is preposterous, even comical, or is it !

John Wayne

Completed a repair for a customer on John Wayne's bust from the USA, cast in plaster of paris. I pinned and glued the exposed plaster all along the break and secured them in with glue. I then hand formed the missing brim of his hat using air drying clay and pressed it onto the broken edge, securely fixing it around the pins.I sculpted the Das a little larger to allow for shrinkage. When the Das was completely dry, I sanded and finished it.

Tree Nymphs

I've been sooo busy recently. I've just completed a couple of sculptures for ' Go Figure ' exhibition at an Altrincham art gallery. Art With a Heart Regeants rd. They are being exhibited until the beginning of March and can be purchashed and collected at the end of the exhibition.

Here is my artist statement to go with the sculptures:

I am a ceramic artist. I use various types of clays and use a wide range of methods to create one off individual pieces of art. The inspiration for these two sculptures derive from the organic nature of the materials combined with the love of the natural world. My passion for organic forms and the cycles of nature and life have inspired me to create these metamorphic sculptures. I hope to depict how the cycles of life and nature are entwined, compatible and in love with one another. I chose the female form to signify fertility and rebirth as in the natural world.


Tree nymph 1 is created using JAB porcelain with a high fire clear craze glaze. Fired to 1010c biscuit and then 1240c with a 20 min soak.

 Tee Nymph 2 was created using a grogged earhenware clay with velvet underglaze to depict the mossy colours of nature. Fired to 1060c soak 15 mins.

Nursing home art

Well, what a result ! I supplied the bisque, glazes, brushes and stamps to a local nursing home. Really enjoyed giving a lesson to the activity coordinator in the art of ceramic painting and giving the best advice as to which methods to use for people with a variety of nursing health needs.

Its so important that we remember the therapeutic benefits of art for our elderly and infirm. The pleasure of creativity at any level of ability is both rewarding and inspirational.

Here are a few of the bisque that they decorated. I dipped and fired them in my studio kiln, applied transfers and fired again. Love my job !

Metaphysical

I have been invited to exhibit at AWAH gallery. The title of the exhibition being metaphysical.

My great grandmother was a firm believer in spiritualism and as part of this modern movement assisted in the donation of £2000 for the Fox Cottage in Hydesville USA. The Fox Cottage being the birth of modern spiritualism with the Fox Sisters Rappings phenomenon.

I have inherited a number of spirit photographs and images of the The Fox Cottage and thought it would be a great idea to use these images on ceramics for the exhibition.

I researched many areas of spiritualism and contacted various spiritualist institutions (USA). I found that the emblem of spiritualism is the sunflower, so I incorporated this in my works.

I also researched the physics and mathematics regarding such beliefs and contacted physicists to assist me in my thoughts. One particular physicist suggested I look at Newtons laws of motion with the second time derivative of position as this can relate to prediction of future and time. Apt for the spiritualists beliefs !! Wow, a scientific approach to a belief actually blew my mind.

So, I collected all my research and got busy creating and I completed 6 designs to be transfered onto ceramic tiles. Each tile measures 25 x 33 cm and will be exhibited at AWAH in October. Very exciting !

sunflower

Started a new brief titled Metaphysical for an exhibition in October. I've researched various aspects of Spiritualism, from the very beginnings to modern spiritualism. It has been a fascinating journey and quite enlightening. Research included Greek oracles, prophecies, shamanism, Christian beliefs and the Fox sisters from the The Fox Cottage Rapping.

The sunflower is the Spiritualist emblem, so I painted one using traditional water colour. This will be used on a collage of work and will be presented on a large fired ceramic tile.