I make ceramics using wild foraged, hand dug local clays and as a contrast commercial clay decorated with my own hand made willow ash glazes.
The wild clays are collected directly from the ground in small batches and processed by me to get a workable clay body or clay to use as slip for decorating. The processing can take up to a month and then small tests are fired through to find the appropriate temperature the clay can withstand.
Often the wild clay will hold inclusions such as small stones which are fired in the pots to add interest and texture. Often the finish pots will be glazed on the inside but left predominately unglazed on the outer to show off the lovely colours of the clay. Each piece is unique and a limited edition.

In contrast the other work I produce using stoneware commercial clays still links to the natural environment as I produce willow ash glazes. The willow is grown in Cumbria and is the bi-product of my basket making friend. Using his off cuts to produce ash, I blend it and trial the blends to give unique glazes which produce fascinating results in oxidation and reduction firings.

I predominately throw my pots on a momentum wheel, powered by my feet which provides a silent and rhythmic process.
It is important to me to know where my materials come from and I am proud to produce work which links people and places together