Raw glazed, once fired, slip
decorated and painted earthenware, is one of the traditional
techniques of the peasant potters of Europe.
Working with this technique lends itself
to a free approach to decoration; as all stages are carried
out on the wet, damp, or drying raw clay. The layers of body
clay, slip, pigment and glaze, will interact before, as well
as during the firing:enhanced by the unpredictable effects of
the wood fired kiln.
I always try to work from first principles and
so prepare my own clay and grind my own pigments. Materials which
have not been de-natured by industrial processing have a unique
beauty, and impart their character to the work. This enables me
to use those inherent qualities to advantage.
The making cycle begins with clay and wood preparation,
which allows for some useful meditation on creative direction. As
soon as the making has begun, I am committed to following the
pots through all the stages of production until they are glazed
and ready for firing.