Where do you work? Betws-y-Coed
How would you describe your work? I'm a thrower. My work is first thrown on the wheel, then I use pit-firing to finish my work. Most indigenous people would have fired their utility ware this way.
After the clay dries, I put the porcelain in a pit, which is about four feet deep, stack wood on top of it and fire it for about 36 hours. I stoke the fires myself for about 15 hours, then gradually close it off until it reaches about 11,000 degrees.
I introduce copper, iron and salts which gives my work a particular finish or colour. For example, when oxidised, copper is green. But when the oxygen to it is reduced, depending how the pots are placed, they can turn shades of red, pink and orange.
Do you draw inspiration from your local area? They say pit fired ware does reflect the geological area you work in, so the finish does have a connection with the environment, though I don't initially use this area as a form of inspiration. The human condition is my main inspiration, based on the dark and light side of humanity.
Where has your work been shown? I've got a gallery in Betws-y-Coed.
Anything else we should know? I used to do functional ware, but now I mainly do aesthetic work.
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