If you could describe your sculptures in three words, what would they be?
Organic, Mystical, Loving :)
Can you please give us an insight into your studio?
I am fortunate to have a small open garage next to my house where I can sculpt, play and glaze any time of the day or night. It has many large shelves at different heights, a standing bench, a sitting desk and a place for a cat to sit and watch me work. In a small space, I find it important to keep it clean and organised, as well as have little gentle inspirations to keep me company like draped silk, candles and incense. It is not a glamorous space but I love it dearly because it is my space and I can achieve anything in there.
How do you stay organised? What is your routine?
I wake up and have a black coffee and sit with my cats and sketchbook. My sketchbook is a jumble of little sketches, lists and ideas and mixed together. I need to brain dump in this time and keep in mind what I need to get done that day. With clay everything revolves around the firing process and drying time so I will always have different things to do. I have different lists for different things and I use Google calendar for important dates always because my memory is bad.
How do you go from the drawing board to a finished sculpture? How long would a piece generally take to create?
Drawing is so important in my process because it is what gives my work character, movement and personality. When I sit down to create I already have an idea of what to make and can look back through my sketches to refine and choose where to go next.. If I can give as much personality as possible to my designs on paper then I hope a little of that transfers to my sculpture.
I read on your website that you are fascinated by the concept of magic domesticity, could you tell us a little more about this fascination and how it's reflected in your sculptures?
I think that functional sculptures are radical and magical. In a world where machines make most of what is in our homes, it is important to have a touch of the surreal and organic close by. I love the idea that a handmade vessel is valued for the magic that comes from crafting earth between your hands. It has been valued for thousands of years and the stories that are held in vessels continue to this day. I hope to tell a story with my sculptures and express my imagination and emotion to bring the clay to life. There is a connection between aesthetics and ethics and I try to fuse my values into all the art I create.
What are your favourite, go-to colours, and why?
Light Pink and dark green - colours that occur in nature and compliment each other like salt and pepper. I love intense colours like orange and muting them with grey as well. Colours are so delicious.
If you could pinpoint, when did your passion for painting and sculptures develop?
I think I remember making pastry cookies with my mum and really enjoying sculpting with it. I would eat some and then make with some. The tactile sensory element of sculpting and painting always appealed to me. I think the very first artwork I remember was a book of patterns I coloured and gave each pattern a title. I was very proud and the memory is important to me.
Were you creative as a child?
Yes I think so, I would have kids in primary school offering to pay me 5cents to illustrate their work. Although, even though I could technically draw very well, I didn’t feel comfortable in my style until much later and I really was a frustrated artist. I used to want to be a children’s book illustrator because I was drawn to that and I really was sheltered from what options there were as a creative career.
Who is your favourite sculptor/ceramicist? Do you have a mentor?
I admire the work of Katie Stout who creates playful, colourful and organic sculptures which often mix design and art. I believe she also values function in her work and takes ceramic art to a new level. I don’t have a mentor - I have taught myself everything and it has been hard work but I am proud of myself.
How have you been coping with Covid? How do you feed your soul?
I have been coping with the lockdowns and anxiety by making with clay. I am so grateful to have an outlet and a drive for making that means when I have long periods of time alone I am very productive. This lockdown I began hosting workshops where I have loved teaching people what I know and connecting with the community. I also feed my soul with ideas and visions of future projects. Even if things are at a standstill we always have ideas, the ability to research and use a sketchbook and there is so much hope in between the pages of a sketchbook. I love continually learning and discovering new things - the important things : music, art, history and the natural world.
