Open studio

Forgot to add the details of the open studio event on the last post..so here it is...

New work and open studio event

Hadn't realised it has been quite a while since I posted anything...time has certainly been flying by, and its been fairly full on at the studio! My new work is slowly evolving, and I'm getting used to only making work on a part time basis as most of the emphasis at the moment is running the studio. It does however make you really appreciate focused creative time. I have found spending more time working with other people on their various projects rewarding; and seeing how others interpret and utilise the materials and processes. So far at Cyan Clayworks there has been a wide range of individuals making everything from slip cast cups, handbuilt vessels to tiles, and material testing /glaze development using recycled materials. Students from Edinburgh College of Art have been in to create ceramic projects as well. This really highlights the diverse possibilities of clay; with its uses in the fields of product design and sculpture for example. Definitely to be encouraged I think, as there are still those who think that ceramics belongs solely in the field of craft...
Few images below of work in progress. Coil built lidded jars, with multiple layers of image and colour. There are lots of stages, from the initial building, to refining, then slip application through painting and printing. Once fired the glaze is applied and fired, then the decals applied. These are developed from my drawings. Hopefully will have some images of finished pieces next time...

New project beginnings

Lots of things on the go as usual in the studio. Various taster sessions were held this month, a couple of one off workshops, student projects finished and discussions underway for other projects.  Plans are also underway for a print and ceramic workshop which I've been invited to hold in Margate for the Pushing Print festival in October. My own classes will start at the studio in September.Cyan Clayworks is now officially registered as a Community Interest Company, which will hopefully open up various possibilities...!

It also mean I can separate my own work to some extent. In between teaching, firing/glazing and filling out application forms, I've started my own work after a long gap. 
This will continue with the natural history theme. I've started things off by a visit to the National Museum of Scotland to look at and document the animal collections there. Various test pieces have been made to explore potential forms- lidded containers and surface imagery. The lidded container was used as a starting point after seeing a Victorian tobacco jar made from a rhino foot in Traquair House, and jars used to store specimens in museums. My versions of animal themed containers will be simplified forms and will make a more subtle reference to these sources.

All my new work now is project and research based. A lot of time is spent initially gathering source material, exploring and defining ideas, images and forms before beginning to make resolved objects. I've also bought a Victorian tanager bird to draw in the studio...

Update from the studio

Hard to believe its August already...the year is going by very quickly! So far in the last month we had the open event at Cyan Clayworks which went really well. Student projects are almost complete..just the final glazing and firing to do this week. More equipment was bought so we now have a newly renovated slab roller.

Have even managed to start some of my own work...will post some details in the next blog. I'll be continuing with the natural history collection theme, but exploring some new forms and images. I find the process of working through ideas by making small test pieces really useful; often the ideas start to really develop through the making process. Quickly made small scale objects are used to make decisions about proportion, variations within a particular form and how they interact as a group. I like to separate form from surface at these early stages, with imagery developed in the next stage of development.


It will be interesting to see how my work evolves in this new space; a larger scale is now possible. I'm looking forward to having the room and the kiln size to make larger scale work again. The addition of the slab roller will enable relief printing so opening new possibilities for printed images. Each time I've worked in a new space, whether temporarily during a residency or in my own studios, I find it has quite an impact, often generating new ideas and approaches. No doubt spending more time working with other people will have an effect as well.

Open Studio event

To officially open the studio now that everything is set up (including the lovely new workbenches...) we will be holding a launch event. 

So if you're in the area on the 28th you'd be welcome to join us. 

Studio progressing

A busy week so far...
New studio is almost finished...our own work benches still to build and a few other bits and pieces. But the teaching space is up and running. Its a pretty big space to get set up, however despite moving from a very small space we have managed to expand into this one and fill it up quite easily.This week we have had product design students working on a project with Chris and myself to create moulds and cast pieces. Lots of test pieces are also ready for firing - its been great to get my hands on some clay for a change! 
There have been other people moving in to Beaverhall recently...the word is spreading about the great spaces on offer. A couple of us have set up a facebook page so we can collectively promote our projects/workshops etc.  www.facebook.com/BeaverhallStudios.
There are also vouchers available for people to buy for tuition and short courses. Please email for info. 

Forthcoming exhibition

Details below of a forthcoming show I'll be taking part in.

There will be six of my pieces based on a trip to Alberta, investigating taxidermy collections there.