about me

I make tableware, one-off decorative and sculptural vessels

Making pots is part of my life and has been for a very long time. Its a way of slowing down living, a mediation, it me brings joy, I take time. I love the feel of clay and making it into natural shapes and curves, at the same time as having use. I love the colours and the magic of firing; not knowing quite how things will turn out. I love the expression and creative outlet it brings to me using natural materials and allowing the landscape and the people and things in it to speak through me.

I made my first pots when I was 8, in 1963, but there have been long gaps in life when I didn’t have access to a wheel. I was first inspired by my dad who got into investigating and recreating Roman pottery and eventually built his own kick wheel and kiln. I started at night school in 1987 in Lancaster and was lucky to have two inspirational teachers, one very artistic and one a production potter, but both excellent throwers. I was an annoying student who just wanted to throw and didn’t have the patience for coil and slab work and once I was let loose on a wheel, I never looked back. Carol taught me to have a good eye for an artistic and natural shape, while Brendan taught the discipline of throwing similar shapes with mass production and mastering clay in mind.

After another gap I move house and, as there was no easy way to get to a college with decent facilities, I bought my own electric wheel and kiln and pushed myself to get better using YouTube for inspiration. But I was confined to the cellar which was dirty and damp and not very inspiring. Now I’ve moved again and have my own studio in the back of the garage. It’ still dirty but I have a view of the veg garden and its more inspiring.

My father was inspired by Bernard Leach, while I have followed David, Simon and John Leach for inspiration, because of their approach to utilitarian vessels. More recently Instragram has given me access to a wider range of potters for ideas and I love the slow patience of Florian Gadsby and his detailed YouTube videos.

Now I work from home in North Yorkshire where I love the countryside and wide open skies. I am inspired by nature and natural shapes and the countryside around me and I’m not far from the seaside for further inspiration.