‘Ceci n’est pas une Pipe’

Clay Pipe Fragment.    I realise I haven’t written here for a while.  The truth is it has been a difficult year – one of relocation, disorientation and upheaval – the loss of all that was familiar and ‘normal’ which, if I’m honest, has given rise to feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation.  Along with it has come, almost inevitably, … Read More

Bernadette Helmers – Paper Collage

Mixed Media Collage from found / vintage papers by Bernadette Helmers    I am fascinated by collage and have used it myself to explore surfaces, textures and sketchbook ideas for projects.  As an art form it has been around for centuries. But with the proliferation and mass availability of printed matter – text and image – it has gained in … Read More

Hannah Whale / ‘Bohwne’ – Art Spoons

Mixed Media Spoons by Hannah Whale   My grandmother had a small wooden box with mother of pearl inlay which, as a small child, I was allowed to look at and open from time to time.  It contained a selection of ‘memory spoons’ – silver plated teaspoons with brightly coloured enamel badges bearing coats of arms, flags and place names … Read More

Mick Lindberg – Textile Artist

‘In Her Head The World Was Green’ – Detail of a Textile ‘Art’ Bag by Mick Lindberg   I discovered Mick Lindberg’s beautiful textile art at the start of my Instagram journey.   I am fortunate to count her among my most constant and supportive  ‘Insta-Friends’. Mick’s love of textiles and stitch were inherited from her Swedish mother and grandmother. Her … Read More

Digital Photography – Image versus Object

An edited digital image of a pair of my ceramic shoes.    Like many of us during the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ I have been tidying, sorting and revisiting past work as well as doing a spot of ‘housekeeping’ on my digital files.  This has meant sifting through, reviewing and deleting  thousands of images that have accrued in recent years. I have … Read More

Instagram – Contacts and Creative Inspiration

Paperclay shoes from an installation entitled  ‘Not all things go to plan’  by Alison Bournes. Some months ago I gained a new follower on Instagram.  This artist had started making shoes from porcelain paperclay and I assumed that, rather than being a coincidence, there must be a link to my own ceramic work.   A series of direct messages revealed … Read More

Angel Roofs of East Anglia

Angel – Roof detail from St Peter Mancroft, Norwich (photo by Michael Rimmer) Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know of my interest in ecclesiastical architecture and, in particular,  Angel Roofs – medieval timber structures decorated with ornate carvings of angels – a preponderance of which are to be found in East Anglia.   The money needed … Read More

Tammy Midkiff – Watercolour Artist

Gray Dog (Watercolour and gouache ) by Tammy Midkiff I have recently renewed an old friendship thanks to Instagram.   I first met Tammy Midkiff in 1993 when we went to live in the USA for work-related reasons.  Tammy, her husband Ray and their daughter ‘Little Rae’ helped us settle in and find our feet in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They … Read More

Robert Cooper

Tea Caddy – Robert Cooper   I was fortunate to have Robert Cooper as a tutor during my two years on the City Lit Ceramic Diploma course.  He is a free-spirit with an open-minded and experimental approach to ceramics, as well as being a committed, engaging and enormously enthusiastic teacher – full of ideas and suggestions. An inveterate collector and … Read More

Inspiration Board – ‘Re-Hang’

‘Inspiration Board’ from my studio   Like many artists and creatives I collect and keep images which appeal to me.  These are often in digital form but I still like tangible ‘hard copies’ which can come from many sources – newspapers, magazines, greetings cards, art exhibitions, galleries, open studios or specialist shops.  Sometimes they are ‘ephemera’ or things I simply … Read More