This exclusive weekend course offers a rare opportunity to stay in the picturesque and historic Ashbrooke House and work with two Royal College of Art Ceramicists.
Myself and Helen Moore have been specifically chosen for our complimentary skills in both the form and finish of ceramics to offer expert guidance in approaching ceramics as a complete beginner or seasoned maker.
Read MoreMy beautiful late uncle, Derek was like a second father. He taught me many lessons and I conquer up this one each time I get frustrated with an artwork that ‘fails.’
I hope it will help you too.
Read MoreYou set off with great intentions but commitments stack up and the paints or tools stay in their box and we work toward something else that needs our attention. We work for the boss, the house, family and others, forgetting to give those precious moments to ourselves and the heart slowly gets pushed further into the sidelines.
One method to bring the hearty tasks back to the centre is to find an accountability partner…
Read More2018 has been kind and gifted me with a lot personally and professionally. It’s also delivered some lessons.
Can you resonate with any of these 5 things I’ve learned from another year of making a full time living creatively?
Read MoreI'm slowly coming back down to earth after an amazing couple of weeks - getting married, mini-mooning in New York and finishing off teaching and portraits for Christmas.
I also created some ceramic favours for my guests and I have a few left over as a yearly free gift for you...
Read MoreBut personal or professional change doesn't feel quite as cosy because a transition from here to there carries a fear of the unknown.
It’s easier to decide against it and stay here in our comfortable safe space because changing means moving into and living with discomfort .
Of actively embracing and tolerating uncertainty.
Business advice everywhere is to niche down.
To pick one thing and stick at it - which I guess makes me an artist first and business women second, because I just can't choose. I love clay and making but equally, I love paper & painting....Maybe I'm greedy.
This Course introduces paperclay - my two passions combined.
Read MoreMini portraits like this one may be small in size, and appear unassuming or quiet, but the impact they have is huge!
The painting commands a person's full attention asking them to enter it's world. Physically, the viewer begins to move, they lean in, focus and steady themselves as they become silent - it can be very moving to witness.
Read More‘Materiality’ not only shows this 'physical body' of artwork, but also the unseen aspects which go into bringing that work to life.
It comments on what takes place under the surface mentally, financially and logistically in order to deliver an exhibition or further one's creative career.
Read More
The idea for this exhibition came about through a random chat like this - we all decided that we needed a way of balancing making a living from art, and making art for a full living.
A subtle but important difference.
I was all set to study Biomedical and Health Courses at University but when faced with the idea of mortality and missed opportunities , I decided to follow my heart and go to Art College instead.
After 4 years of study I graduated with 'Torso Series' that explored a combination of strength and fragility,
We all have a story about our creativity, from the 'I was never good at art in school' to the 'I dabble at the weekends', 'I want to make a living from my passion,' or a million others.
Here's the story of why I chose to become an artist. And all good stories start with ‘Once Upon a Time,’ right?
Read MoreUnsurprisingly, I have a severe love hate relationship with Social Media and am a bit tech-dyslexic...I did a Masters in mud after-all, you can't get more primal than that! But that hasn't meant that I've managed to get away without living within our increasingly virtual world....
Read MoreMy fascination with clay began when at age 14 my friend and I signed up to a pottery class at our local art centre.
It was her idea...I reluctantly agreed!
The Kungsleden not only offered a fresh physical challenge, it offered a chance to consider how a remote location, cut off from the everyday tasks of 'normal' life and work would impact me mentally and creatively.
The main revelation has been to slow down and reevaluate what's important in how I make a living…
The Kungsleden, with it's vast and remote location seemed like the perfect get away to focus on fitness and creativity.
It turned out to be worth every single step…
Read MoreIt 'dawned' on me that this is actually quite similar to painting. I'm often reminding students to explore the full value range of a colour, not just the lights and mid-tones but to be brave and put that dark value mark down!
Read MoreAt first, I wasn’t sure if this was the right subject matter to remember a lost loved one as I felt it could imply a focus on the loss, rather than the life of the person.
Read More
