Let me introduce myself a little......
Born in South Africa, I returned there as a young adult to work for just over a year. I have also lived and worked in Northern Spain (Asturias) and Mallorca, but am now happily settled in Dorset, just outside of the beautiful Purbecks and close to the coast. I studied Ceramics at Poole College from where I obtained my City and Guilds in Design and 3D Art (Ceramics) in 2006. Every piece I create is unique and individual in design. Many are intrinsically linked to Dorset with the plants and clay that I use, collected whilst walking locally with my dog. I work equally with Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain. I also dabble in both the Raku and Pit firing processes.
AND NOW, ABOUT THE MUD...
PORCELAIN: A beautiful, hard, fine-grained, non-porous white clay. Fired twice; the final firing to a high temperature of 1220 degrees centigrade.
Stoneware
A dense, hard strong clay which is impermeable. Fired twice; finally to 1180 degrees centigrade. Frost Proof.
A dense, hard strong clay which is impermeable. Fired twice; finally to 1180 degrees centigrade. Frost Proof.
Earthenware
A smooth clay, fired to a low temperature of 1020 degrees centigrade. Made non-porous by the application of a glaze.
A smooth clay, fired to a low temperature of 1020 degrees centigrade. Made non-porous by the application of a glaze.
AND THE FIRE?
Kiln firing. Most of my work is fired in my kiln which I programme according to both the clay and glaze requirements. I fire each piece twice, the first firing being called the "Bisque". This prepares the clay body for glazing, a kind of liquid glass, which requires a second firing to mature and adhere to the piece.
RAKU. This generally refers to a type of low-firing process that was inspired by traditional Japanese raku firing. My raku involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it in a container with combustible material such as sawdust.
PIT FIRING. This is the original method for “baking” clay. It dates back nearly 30,000 years. This process is done typically in a hole in the ground, or a pit, although I find my summer fire pit adequate. My pots are wrapped in organic materials such as seaweed, placed in the pit and burned.
So, when does the fun begin ?
Any potter will tell you..... Opening the kiln on completion of the final firing; lifting the lid of the container full of sawdust in the raku process; ferreting around in the cold remains of a fire to remove a grubby item of pottery after a pit fire....it's magical, like all the excitement of Christmas as a kid ! You never know what you're going to get......... Take a look, and see if you find anything you like.........