I have long been intrigued by the elemental nature of clay and the process of making things with it, by the subtlety of variation in the shape of pots and how this relates to look and function, and by the way in which making ceramics connects us across history and cultures. My focus is on functional pottery: for me much the satisfaction of pottery comes from how it feels in use and how well it serves its purpose, as well as how it looks.

I work in both stoneware and earthenware, and all my pots are single-fired. In stoneware I am interested in the use of simple, often wood-ash, glazes, while with earthenware my focus is on using ‘wild-clay’, and on slip decoration. In both areas it is important to me to find ways of working which are as simple, direct, and environmentally sound as possible.

I am also interested in aspects of historic pottery, in particular medieval pottery in Britain and Europe, both in the the forms themselves, which are an influence in my own pots, and in the techniques used by medieval potters. Through this has come involvement with an experimental archaeology project digging clay, making pots and constructing and firing medieval-type wood-fired kilns.

More on all these things can be found under the about link above, and in the journal pages.

Although I do normally make some pottery for sale, we are in the midst of moving at the moment so, currently, I do not have a functional workshop, and all the ceramics  work I am doing is associated with the Medieval Pottery project.