Artist’s Statement:

“I’m a ceramic artist, whose work is textured with myth, legend and magic.

I work from my garden studio where I create sculptural guardian dragons, a mythical menagerie of talisman creatures and decorative dragonskin vases, vessels & candleholders. I like to create protective homes for homeless things, and containers with character.

I initially create my ceramic pieces using various techniques. I hand build with slabs, extruded coils, drape moulds, home-made press moulds and moulded found objects. I also throw on a wheel.

I then create surface decoration in a number of ways. My work usually incorporates thin textured slabs of dragonskin created using handmade roulettes impressed with Ankhs, Runes (Norse, Honorius and Sheika), Ogham script, I-Ching hexagrams, celestial symbols, leaves, flowers and fish, which are incorporated within patterns inspired by Islamic, Celtic and Medieval decoration. I sometimes print on my work with lino cut images, ceramic transfers and textural fabric. I also use slips and tube lining on thrown pieces.

I complete my ceramics with a mixture of underglazes, glazes and metallic lustres to give a variety of colours and finishes. I also raku fire some of my work to obtain unique finishes and effects.”