Studio visit in May to Michael Taylor. Lone Ash Pottery, Ashwater.

Fifteen members visited Michael’s studio on 16th May and enjoyed an inspiring day in the lovely setting of their house and studio deep in Devon countryside near Ashwater. Michael started by telling us about his pottery education and influences and about how he and Yvonne have developed a successful pottery business making and selling his popular and most attractive domestic ware. His main outlets are through a number of galleries and shops, in particular, via the highly regarded David Mellor Design catalogue.

After the introduction Michael gave us a demonstration of his virtuoso throwing in which he made a number of mugs and large bowls with great speed and precision whilst, at the same time, answering lots of questions from the audience. The speed with which he produces work is of great importance and made possible both by his skill and also by the very well planned and organised studio which he and Yvonne have set up.

After a picnic lunch in their delightful garden he showed us how he trims and then glazes and decorates his work. To do this he dips each biscuit fired piece in a tin glaze and then pours or uses a slip trailer with a range of coloured glazes to produce his characteristic bold, colourful stripes.