Current Work and Availability

Hand Thrown Crystalline Ceramics

Available from:
Henry Paddon Contemporary Art Gallery, Eastbourne.
The Oxford Ceramics Gallery, Oxford.
Bevere Gallery, Worcester
Marine House Gallery, Devon.
Walford Mill Crafts, Dorset.
The WOW! Gallery, Dorking.
Lucinda Brown Gallery, Buckinghamshire.
Lilford Gallery, Canterbury.
The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.
Artifex Gallery, Sutton Coldfield.
The Arc Contemporary Crafts, Chester.
Lovelys Gallery, Margate.

Technical Information

Crystalline glazing is time consuming & expensive to produce. There can be many failures, but when all goes well the effects are stunning.

All of my pots are hand thrown in porcelain, one of the more difficult clays to throw, especially large pots. Crystalline glaze is mixed using a variety of ingredients, some measured in minute amounts. It is applied very thick, up to 4mm to encourage the glaze to run. The pot is then placed on a pedestal and stands in a dish, to catch the run-off during the firing.

When the kiln reaches the maximum temperature (up to 1300c). It is then rapidly cooled to a specific holding temperature. This is the time when the crystals form in the glaze. The amount of time held at this temperature contributes to the size of the crystals, which occur randomly, making each pot unique.

When all has cooled down, there is the delicate process of removing the pot from the pedestal and grinding the bottom smooth.

History

My passion for pottery started from an art lesson in the first year of my GCSE's at the age of 15. Whilst participating in a Ceramics lesson, I found that I very much enjoyed the creative process of making a pot, and seemed to have a natural talent for this type of art. Because of this, I carried on practicing to improve my technique.

I continued to study at Astor College for the Arts, in Dover, Kent. Where I achieved an A-level in ceramics in 2007. Also awarded the ' The Cav. Romeo Di Girolamo (PRSBA) Award For Special Achievement In The Arts' and 'The Town Mayor Of Dover's Trophy for 3D Art'.

I then sought an apprenticeship at an established pottery to continue my training eventually making pots for their shop. During my 2 years there, I learnt lots of different techniques including production throwing using stoneware clay, turning, glazing and different firings.

In 2008 I made the decision to set up my own ceramics studio near my home in Capel-Le-Ferne, Folkestone, Kent. I continued to use stoneware clay for producing decorative and domestic pottery and even though I enjoyed this, I wanted a new challenge.

During my training years I had heard about many different styles of ceramics, however the one that caught my interest the most was Crystalline because it is so unusual and different from any other type of pottery. I have been concentrating on this technique since 2009, where I have been experimenting with new, more contemporary shaped vases and testing new glazes, always trying to produce more exciting colour combinations. All my Crystalline work is hand thrown using high quality porcelain.

At the start of 2010 I became a member of The Sussex Guild, and exhibit at most of their shows. You can now also find my work in various shops and galleries across the country, which are listed above.