Christine's profile...
| Where to find Christine's work |
The Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
The ABC Gallery at Martin Mere.
Also, with Art and Craft Guild.
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My first opportunity to work with clay came about whilst following an Art course at teacher training college. On beginning my career, I was offered a post at a school which had a purpose built ceramics studio and the following thirty years were spent sharing my own enthusiasm with literally thousands of students.
Retirement has brought with it the time to develop my own work. It has also left me with a wealth of ideas and designs which results in a varied assortment of work.
I create simple shapes - inspired by nature. Each piece is unique and although initial sketches are made, work often evolves during construction and with the application of final stains and glazes.
Each piece of work is hand-built using both coiled and slabbed techniques.
Surfaces may be textured or carved prior to the initial bisque firing, after which a limited palette of oxides and glazes are used, with special emphasis being placed upon the necks and openings of each vessel. Designs are developed from natural forms and although the same basic shape may be repeated, the final design gradually evolves during the making and glazing processes. Because of this continuously experimental method of working, no two pieces are alike and work can never be exactly replicated. A mixture of smooth bodied and crank stoneware clays are used. At times, paper clay is used to strengthen fine edges and for the addition of surface details. Some pieces are fired several times until the required effect is achieved- the final firing at 1250C. | 
