Helen McCormick

"My hand-built ceramic vessels are strongly influenced by the coast and my time living, teaching and travelling in South East Asia."

I am a Welsh ceramicist and art teacher living in Devon. My hand-built ceramic vessels are strongly influenced by the coast and my time living, teaching and travelling in South East Asia. They are inspired by my first-hand experience of bulbous and curvaceous shapes found in many of the countries I travelled through.

Each vessel is an exploration into the plasticity of the clay and the relationship between the maker and material. Beginning with a simple pinch pot, I build each piece over a few days so that there is time to reflect whilst the clay is drying and before adding the next coil. I then turn back the form by hand with a metal kidney, carving excess clay away, and using a mirror to help me achieve symmetry. I use stoneware clay, which I high bisque fire before applying very thin glaze. The surface is achieved by layering slip and barium glaze via pouring, dipping, spraying or brushing onto the vessel, layering the glaze. Each piece is a flux of blues and greens, reflecting the richness of the waters in the Gulf of Thailand.

Biography
I studied a BA in 3D Design at Exeter 1996-1999 and a Masters degree in Ceramics in Cardiff 2003 – 2004. Having a desire to share my knowledge I completed in PGCE in Art and Design in 2005-2006. I then taught in schools in the UK, Ghana, Thailand and Hungary for 16 years. I am now taking a leap of faith and focusing on sharing my skills via local community workshops and developing my studio practice; in my new life as an independent educator and studio potter.

Workshops

I offer pottery workshops at Walronds in Cullumpton for more information go to

https://www.walronds.com/event/pottery-workshop/  or email me.

You can keep also up to date with further details and new workshops by following me on Instagram or Facebook

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