May 2025
2 May - Finished making the ‘Burl’ or ‘Burr’ test maquette in black PF680 clay, using my petal texture for the burls/burrs. Will now leave this to dry for a couple of weeks before bisque firing.
After selecting a range of blended, naturally coloured clay test tiles in light, medium, and dark tones, I began experimenting with simple surface patterns using extruded coils. This approach was inspired by the work of Aboriginal artist Kuran Warun. I can see potential for applying this technique to my tree forms, while also exploring its connection to my ongoing interest in the contours of the land and the concept of place.
5 May - I am continuing to explore the use of the ‘ribbons’ texture as a conceptual element for a contour vessel in my sketchbook. The rounded form connects to the idea of place, drawing on the globe as a symbol of the Earth and referencing the ‘dot’ commonly used to mark a location on a map. I am naturally drawn to the visual appeal of the oval shape, I am aiming to establish a strong visual and emotional connection between the form and the concept. I have been revisiting the works of ceramic artist Alice Walton, Jeanne Opgenhaffen and textile artist Joana Schneider while exploring this potential avenue of work, while discovering new artists such as Helena Morbu and Rachel Doniger.
7 May - I’ve gone down a bit of a rabbit hole with this area of research so I thought if I could try to clarify to myself the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of this potential area of work it may help in my thinking process…
‘A series of ceramic sculptures that explore personal memories associated with a specific place and moment in time. Drawing on the emotional resonance of place - both physical and imagined - the pieces will seek to evoke feelings of nostalgia, connection, and quiet reflection. Each sculpture will serve as a tactile expression of fleeting memories, fragments of experience, and the atmosphere of a remembered moment. Through form, texture, and surface, the work will explore how place shapes identity and how memories linger in material and the topography of place.’
9 May
Ceramic Art London 2025
Visited Ceramic Art London (CAL) at Olympia, London today and saw some truly inspiring ceramics - both from artists I already admire and a few exciting new discoveries. It was a fantastic experience - spent looking, admiring, and often wondering how certain techniques had been achieved. Seeing the work up close and in such an intimate setting brought a whole new sense of dynamic energy and vitality to the pieces.
Artists new to me included; Simone Springsguth, Carina Ciscato, Stephanie Johnson, Sofia Aguas and Amanda-Sue Rope.
While revisiting some inspiring artists; Kyra Cane, Sara Dodd, Ashraf Hanna, Bjork Haraldsdottir, Silke Wellmeier and Paul James.
15-16 May
Exploring Form and Feeling a Little Lost
Lately, I’ve been feeling quite unsure about the direction my work is heading in. To try and move through this uncertainty, I spent some time at university this week experimenting with forms for a potential contour vessel. The first test piece just wasn’t resonating with me, so I made the decision to reclaim the clay and start a fresh. It didn’t feel like it was going anywhere.
The second piece, however, has shown more promise. I’ve begun applying some extruded ribbon-like texture drawn from the contours of Sawbridge - where I live, to explore how the form might develop and whether it might evoke the qualities I’m aiming for. It’s early days, but it feels good to be making and testing, even in small steps.
21-23 May
Studio Days and New Arrivals
I've spent the past couple of days working in the studio at university, methodically applying the ribbon texture to this first exploratory sculpture - an approach inspired by the contours of Sawbridge. As I work, my mind keeps returning to the colours of the surrounding landscape at different times of the year and the incredible sunsets we are lucky to witness. I'm already thinking about how these tones might be translated into sculptural forms through surface, shape, and colour.
Arriving home last night to a box full of goodies - stains I’d ordered from CTM Potters Supplies - felt like perfect timing. I’m really looking forward to making some coloured clay test tiles and starting to explore how these pigments might bring a new layer of depth and atmosphere to the work.
28 - 30 May
Contours, Form and Colour Exploration
This week I finished the roundel sculpture featuring the Sawbridge contour - it's now drying and waiting for its first bisque firing. I'm continuing to develop the Sawbridge contour theme to see where it might lead in terms of sculptural form, surface pattern and eventually colour.
My second sculpture builds on this direction, using the contour line to define the shape of the top edge, which then evolves into a free-standing form. At this stage, I’m focusing solely on form and the application of the ribbon texture. The exploration of colour will follow, through a series of coloured clay test tiles that I’m planning to develop over the coming weeks.
In thinking about how I might approach colour treatment on these pieces, I’ve been looking beyond ceramics for inspiration. I’ve recently been drawn to artists working in other media, particularly weaving. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how colour is layered and blended - sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly - and how it lingers in the mind’s eye long after viewing. I'm hoping to bring a similar sensitivity to the colour work in my sculptures.
