Artists Statement

My art work is inspired by the natural corrosion of surfaces, aerial views of landscapes, the contrast of rough and smooth line, pattern and texture that are found on stones and other objects like wood, glass and metal that have been weathered and broken down from natural erosion such as water, frost and heat.

Work takes the forms of vessels, wall pieces or jewellery looking at different ways of containing space.The pieces are hand built using stoneware or a porcelain body that is washed over with oxides to highlight textures on the surface of the clay.

Current Work

My current work is developed through the themes of natural erosion, man made marks on the surface of natural objects. I am using a stoneware clay ‘ Earthstone’, I have been working with this body as it gives me the flexibility to manipulate  the shapes of my work.

Work Generally Available from:
The Flint Gallery, Blakeney, North Norfolk, England www.theflintgallery.co.uk
Francis Perry, Eastbourne, Sussex, England www.francis-perry.co.uk
Smiths Row, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England www.smithsrow.org
Forge gallery, Walburton, Sussex, England www.forgegallerywalberton.co.uk
West End House Gallery, Smarden, Kent, England www.west-end-house-gallery.co.uk
My On-line Shop: Etsy - online - www.etsy.com/shop/Pottyjess

Also Sussex Guild Shows, Across Sussex

Other information: I am working  as a Ceramic artist from my workshops in Littlehampton and I offer workshops on hand building and jewellery  techniques at  the Forge Gallery in Arundel  once a month please call  01243 554818 for information  

Membership:
Sussex Guild Designer Makers of Contemporary and Traditional Crafts (I exhibit throughout the year atvarying venues, including Hatfield House, Parham Manor and Midhurst Rother College.)

Technical Information

The vessels are made using a traditional hand building technique of textured slabs that are joined together to make the vessel forms.  

The forms are bisque fired then I use a black oxide over the surface of the vessels to high light the textures and patterns that I have made on the surface of the clay body.  I use limited glazes on my work as I like the clay to look natural. 

The forms are then fired In a electric kiln  up to 1260 /1280.

Background History

Education 
2007 - 2008: Chichester College
Completed PGCE in HE 

2006 - 2007: Chichester College
Teacher training stage two completed

2006- 2007: Chichester College
Stage one Literacy skill for life pass

2005-2006: Chichester College
Teaching stage one completed in February with a Pass  

2003-2004: The Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College
MA- Contemporary Crafts, {Ceramics} completed in September with a Pass with the MA I was able to work with my idea / theme and develop them over the course of the year. This course gave me a better understanding of what it could be like if I was working for my self, as I was left to develop my work and my understanding of the material that I was using. I had to keep to a time scale ware I had to fit in my practice, essays and other development work I became very good at managing my time keeping to the deadlines.  I also had the opportunity to go to Japan for three weeks ware I took part in the International Ceramics Exchange this was an unforgettable experience. Also as part of the MA I had to go and interview other artists I  was able to go and  talk to Gordon Baldwin and Robin Welch about there work which I would never had done if I hadn’t done the MA.  The MA has given me a better understanding of my work and some grate opportunities. 

2001-2003: The Surrey Institute of Art and Design, University College
BA{ Hons} Three Dimensional Design {Ceramics} Pass with 2.1 
The BA Hon has enabled me to develop a strong body of work and a deeper understanding of the concepts and motivation behind my work. On the BA I have had the opportunity to become the class representative, being the class representative means that I had to be very organized with my time, had to be a good communicator to talk to the students and tutors. I was also the organiser for events to raise money for are end of year show at New Designers. 

1999-2001: Northbrook College, Sussex
HND Art in Design, Pass with a Merit
On the HND I was able to work with many different materials, techniques and processes from metals, wood, plastic molding, plaster molding/casting and press molding . In the second semester I found that ceramics was best suited to my work and I enjoyed working with the medium. 

Exhibition History

2012: OPEN HOUSE ; Brighton 5th May
2012: Parham House, Sussex Guild June
2012:  Styening Art- 26 May
2012:  Hatford house 6/7/8 July
2012: Midhurst Dec Sussex Guild

2011: OPEN HOUSE ; Brighton
2011: Parham House
2011: Hatford house
2011: Worthing selling show
2011: Midhurst
2011: ETC magazine Dec issue
2010: Farnham Maltings
2010: OPEN HOUSE ; Brighton
2010: Quarter to 5 group exhibition in Brighton
2010: Parham House
2010: Hatford house

2008: Ceramic Exhibition at Worthing Dec 19
2008: Midhurst Grammar School Dec 6- 7 
2008: ‘The malting Farnham maybe’ 22 November 
2008: Open studio , Angmering  6 Sept to 7 Sept 
2008: Pashley Manor Gardens, Sussex Guild on Aug 30- 31
2008: Michelham Priory, Sussex Guild
2008: Group Exhibiting, Worthing 
2007: Pashley Manor Gardens, Sussex Guild
2007: Art Hut, Brightion Exhibition started 8 Oct 07
2007: Michelham Priory, Sussex Guild 
2007: Glazed over, Worthing Exhibition 
2007; Worthing selling show 
2006: Open house Exhibition
2006: The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, Leeds 
2006: pot to pot, Worthing 
2006: The New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham Surrey
2005: New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham Surrey, winter Exhibition private view 4th November to 31st December.
2005: The Cranleigh art Center, Surrey, Scratch the Surface, 24 August to 10 September 
2005: The Big Open     Exihibition, Worthing, West Sussex, July to September 
2004: Affordable art fair at Cranleigh church, Surrey, December  
2004: End of year MA Show, at The Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College 
2004: Start Contemporary Gallery, Brighton
2004: The Old Bakehouse Gallery, Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex ‘Oceans A part’ 
2003: International Ceramics Exchange, Japan
2003: New Designers Show, London
2001: New Designer Show, London
2001: End of Course Show at Northbrook College, Sussex