Back To Normal
Well, that is what I hope as I look forward to being able to take my work back out to the public again. Today is the Grand National in the UK and while I am no gambler, I simply couldn’t resist a small bet on “Potters Corner”. A rank outsider but what self respecting potter could resist. Wish me luck!!
What a strange few months it has been for us all. Storms, lockdowns, unlock downs, tiers, and tears! Having listened with horror to the sad stories of how families have been affected by Covid and Lockdowns across the world, I found myself after Christmas personally affected as my mother suffered a serious stroke and I was unable to visit her due to restrictions. Never has life been put into perspective more clearly for me and it has made me, as I’m sure it has for many, more deeply aware of how important every day we have with our families is and to appreciate every single moment whether its listening to song or witnessing a beautiful moment in nature. All of this is bound to emerge in the work of artists across the world and for me it has made me dig deeply to convey a sense of calm and simplicity in my work that can’t always necessarily always be found in the day to day.
It’s been a busy few months in the studio finishing off a few commissions and getting stock ready for the opening of retail next week. As usual, leaving little to no time to make all the things I promised I would make for my own family this year.
Over winter the whole process of making slows down due to the weather. Because my studio is not exactly weather proof or insulated, if the weather is cold and damp – so are my pots!! It is very important to make sure everything is bone dry after throwing and before going in the first bisque firing. If not, there is a very real danger of the posts exploding in the kiln when any residual water starts to boil! So this time of year can be quite frustrating as those last minute requests arrive and, in order to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible and not add more cost to my pots, I try not to use heaters to dry more quickly. So as a result, quite a lot of time is spent balancing ware boards on my shoulder and bringing them across to the house to take advantage of the warmth and hopefully dry more quickly. Quite frustrating navigating the half dry pots balancing precariously from various surfaces all over the house. In the summertime the whole process speeds up nicely and I can use the sun to dry pots.
Just lately I have been concentrating my efforts on throwing some more larger statement pieces and while throwing large amounts of clay is a challenge it is also very good for fitness as each throwing session is like a double session at the gym!
The plan for the next few months are to really try and bring the beautiful Norfolk Coast and the colours and atmosphere of living here into my work. I have a new range of “sea and sand” mugs that will be launched on the website at the end of the month and which I hope will be as popular as my regular “oatmeal” range.
I hope to start giving a few more individual lessons once the restrictions are lifted and will really look forward to welcoming visitors back to my studio during Norfolk Open Studios in October. Until then, its shoulder to the grindstone and fingers crossed for a busy summer meeting lots of visitors in the various places I will be popping up and exhibiting.
I welcome commissions and would welcome any visitors to my studio by appointment, just drop me an email and I will look forward to hearing from you.
Kat