Large Raku vessel - ceramic
Two Raku vessels - ceramic
Raku vessel with long neck - ceramic
It all began in the 1970s after walking into a shop selling handmade ceramics and falling in love with the forms and colours. After some basic training at Goldsmiths College and working as a production potter in country potteries, I ended up flat broke. So I became an English teacher for 35 years.
When I resumed throwing, I focused on Raku. I love the complexity of its surfaces and it's "controlled unpredictability". All Raku potters know the way the heartbeat increases as work is taken from the reduction bin and the magic that happens as the smoky residues are scrubbed from the pot to reveal colours, markings and lustres.
Most of my Raku work is blue/green due to my signature copper glaze. I try to achieve a "quiet" curve which is at the same time both complex and simple. I particularly love the robust stoneware of the late Michael Casson and the work of Shoji Hamada but also admire many modern potters such as Walter Keeler and Tony Laverick.
Two kilns
Moon vases in progress
Small porcelain shape
Horsehair Raku
Shallow bowl with foot
Work in progress
Turquoise Raku with copper flashing
Long Necked Raku Vessel