I am a Welsh ceramicist and art teacher based in Cullompton, Devon. Growing up by the sea, I have always felt a deep connection to the ocean, no matter where I am in the world. This lifelong bond with the coast strongly influences my hand-built ceramic vessels, which explore themes of movement, texture, and place.

My journey with clay began in art college, where I first discovered the material’s potential to capture both form and feeling. I went on to earn a BA in 3D Design, Designer Maker from the University of Plymouth and an MA in Ceramics from UWIC, Cardiff, building a strong foundation in both design and material understanding.

With a desire to share my passion and encourage others to explore their creativity, I completed a PGCE in Art and Design. Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of teaching and managing Art and Design in schools across Wales, England, Ghana, Thailand, and Hungary. In each of these roles, I developed ceramics programmes that encouraged hands-on learning and creative expression, helping students find their voices through clay.

Lockdown marked a turning point, inspiring me to leave formal teaching and establish my own pottery workshops while focusing on my studio practice as an independent educator and ceramicist. I now share my skills through local community workshops while continuing to develop my craft.

My time living, teaching, and travelling in South East Asia left a lasting impression on my practice, deepening my appreciation for intricate, hand-crafted forms and the rich cultural connections to clay in those regions. I aim to blend this global influence with my coastal inspirations, creating organic shapes and tactile surfaces that capture the sense of place and connection that drives my work.

Using traditional hand-building techniques, I explore the plasticity of clay, often embedding small samples of sand from specific locations to create texture, colour, and through firing - permanency. This process not only preserves the sand but also strengthens the vessel’s connection to the landscape from which it originates.

Each piece begins as a simple pinch pot and is gradually coiled over several days, allowing time for reflection before adding the next coil. Once leather-hard, I refine the form by carefully carving away excess clay by hand, using a mirror and turntable to achieve a symmetrical, tactile finish.

The surfaces of my vessels are brought to life with custom glazes and slips, applied using a variety of techniques. Copper is the primary colourant, but due to ethical concerns surrounding mining, I have begun experimenting with verdigris pigments made from reclaimed copper piping. My goal is to create a hue that complements my existing glaze, evoking a dynamic interplay of blues and greens that captures the depth and movement of the ocean.

Amidst growing concerns about rising oceans and melting ice, my work seeks to reflect both the enduring beauty and the fragile vulnerability of these natural forces. Through my vessels, I aim to preserve moments of place and time, drawing attention to the shifting landscapes that inspire and sustain us.

I am a member of the West Country Potters Association, South Wales Potters and associate member of Craft Potters Association