My hand-built ceramic vessels are strongly influenced by growing up near the sea and my time living, teaching and travelling through South East Asia. Throughout every country visited, there was one object that connected us all, the humble clay pot.

Every vessel I make is unique. Using traditional methods, I explore the plasticity of the clay, and the relationship between the maker and material. Beginning with a simple pinch pot, I coil each vessel over a few days so that there is time to reflect before adding the next coil. Once leather-hard, I turn back the form by hand carving excess clay away, using a mirror and turntable to achieve a symmetrical tactile form. My latest work explores the South West Coastline, I used small samples of sand from location, which has been wedged into the clay, creating texture, colour and through firing - permanency, preserving the sand, which creates a stronger connection to each location. The surface of the form is achieved by mixing my own glaze and slip, which is applied using various methods. Copper is the main colourant. Due to the ethical issues surrounding mining, I have just started experimenting with creating my own verdigris pigment through using old copper piping. My hope is to create a colour to match my current glaze, creating a flux of blues and greens that reflects the richness of the ocean.