What drives my art is the elusive notion of creativity where the exploration and its processes are more interesting and intriguing than the end result. In drawing I prefer to use very simple lines and minimal colour and unless I am following a brief for a particular exhibition, I have no plan just an intuitive starting point based on a broad tapestry or landscape. This provides a framework for latent images to find their place and a surface over which I metaphorically explore.
In ceramic sculpture I am developing a body of work which is a return to a method I began at art school which is smoke or pit fired work. I am moving away from endless glaze test tiles and line blends but my work with coloured slipware leaves me comfortable with developing oxide slips and more experimental firing.
I now spend a proportion of each week as an art tutor which is interesting on many levels: creativity and right brain thinking, art practice as a route to well being and the interaction between these three elements.
Dw i’n dysgu cymraeg
I was born in the North East but have lived and worked for most of my life in Mid and North Wales. I studied geology in Birmingham and then at The Open University where I was working. After many years in health and social work I trained at The North Wales School of Art and Design in Fine Art drawing and an MA in Art Practice focussing on ceramics.
I have been employed as a community artist and tutor several art groups in Wales and Shropshire where I now live. I work in schools and occasional voluntary classes ones for the Qube in Oswestry.
I am interested in the broad notion of creativity and process in art as it relates to drawing and sculpture. I have a long standing interest in traditional slipware and the history of the Buckley Potteries.