Clay and fire offer continuing surprise and challenge. This has remained a fascination as has simple mark making and the endless possibilities of creating texture on hand-built forms. Often I use found objects to mould or impress patterns later enhanced by oxides and glazes in a final firing.

Similarly, the effect of heat, vitrifying and fusing elements baking solidity into a plastic material offers endless spurs to further creativity. 

Rudimentary knowledge of clay and techniques was gained in Birmingham and interest maintained working alongside other sculptors and ceramicists during a career in education. 

Forms are made using hand construction techniques, proformas, armatures and moulds using contrasting clay bodies.

Experimenting with the different properties and frailties of varying clay bodies, recently I have referenced experiences watching volcanoes and geysers , molten bodies taking on organic forms as they cool – a fundamental process repeated in firings on a very small scale.