Artist's Statement

I have been a professional potter for nearly forty years, exhibiting both in England and abroad. I use porcelain to make pots which are both elegant and functional. The pots begin on the wheel. Decoration is kept to a minimum. Strokes of shellac are applied as a resist prior to biscuit firing. After the glaze firing the marks are quietly revealed as the glaze pools around the patterns. The glazes are most important - the colours are caused by the effect of oxides in the glazes and reflect the quality of light that only porcelain gives- especially blue/green celadons and strong sang de boeuf reds. The work is fired to 1300oc in a gas kiln with a heavy reduction.In my wood firing kiln I use stoneware as the effect of the naked flame on the clay gives the added exitement of unpredictability.Here the glazes I use all come from the ash of our trees. I live and work in the Fens where the big skies and wide horizons inform my work