CLICK HERE TO VISIT STORE
Through many years of creating, I have experimented with many different media, both 2D and 3D. I have found it very difficult to focus on using one material, but after joining a ceramics evening class six years ago, I decided that clay would be my material.
I was already used to working in three dimensions as I have had a long standing career as one of the senior sculptors/model-makers at Aardman Animations, working on projects such as “Chicken Run”, “Wallace and Gromit-Curse of the Wererabbit”, “Angry Kid” and “Creature Comforts”. After leaving Aardman to have my baby (now two and a half years old) I have found some (limited) time to develop my own style and techniques in ceramics.
As well as an obsession with coral, I'm also mightily intrigued by microscopic cell structure.
This pendant, covered with a honeycomb of craters has a pool of blood red glass melted into each one. The body of the pendant is unglazed porcelain which has a pitted texture. The pendant has been finished with glass beads and a sterling silver bead. This piece is highly textured and sculptural and measures 1.5 inches/4cm in length with a depth of 0.5 inches/1.5cm.
The main body of my work, the sculptures and sculptural jewelry, are primarily influenced by the clay itself. I do not fight with the clay to make neat edges and smooth, even surfaces, preferring instead to leave the tool marks, the raw edges and the natural texture of the clay. The same applies to the glazes I use…I would like to experiment further, but so far I have found that I am most comfortable with matt stoneware glazes, that show different colours according to their thickness. I also have a penchant for silicon carbide, which when mixed with a glaze causes bubbling and blistering, and also iron oxide spangles ... a few thrown on causes lovely rust spotting, but add them on a little heavier, and the effect is a wonderful sparkly pewter. When possible, I also take part in Raku firings.
This pendant, with a large triple concentric crater and smooth body has a mottled violet and blue stoneware glaze. The grooves have been finished with platinum lustre.
This piece is highly textured and sculptural and measures 1.5 inches/3.5 cm in length with a depth of 0.5 inches/1cm. It is unglazed and initialed on the back.
I also take reference form sea creatures, such as coral, jelly fish and of course, sea urchins. I love working with textures and a lot of my work is pierced. I do not smooth the piercing, but instead choose to keep the barnacle effect as the clay splits as the tool moves through it.
This porcelain pendant has been formed using my own handmade mould and then altered. It has textured petals and has been glazed with a glossy chocolate stoneware glaze with turquoise glass in the petals....this has formed white edges between the glaze and the glass.
This piece is highly textured and sculptural and measures 1.75 inches/4.2 cm long with a depth of 0.3 inches/7mm. It is unglazed and initialed on the back. The piece is finished with glass beads.
This pendant will be supplied with a short (16inch)dark brown cord with silver end caps and a barrel clasp. If you would like a longer cord, or in a different colour (in stock currently-blue, white, red, brown (thinner), green, light blue, black) please send me a message when you order. I also have chiffon ribbons in stock if the customer prefers.
Totally unique and original, these pendants are based on my ceramic sculptures. I have been developing this technique for the past five years influenced by coral, geology and the inherent qualities of the clay itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.