Process
The starting point for Marie’s ceramics is sketches, paintings and prints made from frequent visits to the coast or walking in local countryside.
She uses a variety of stoneware and porcelain clay. Pieces are normally thrown on the wheel and sometimes altered. At the semi-dry stage, marks are applied using coloured slips, sgraffito, oxides and resist to reflect landscape. Some may be burnished prior to bisque firing and further resist applied at glazing stage.
Experimenting with clay bodies, mark making, surface finishes and developing new glazes from raw materials is a constant learning and discovery process for her.
Marie’s work can also be found for sale at The Silversheep in Tunbridge Wells, a beautiful boutique shop selling gifts and products from local artisans.
Background
Marie’s love of working with clay started aged 12 when she learned to throw and even delve into raku firings at school. She followed this passion to art school, training at Middlesex in 3D Design (clay, wood, metal, glass). At the time, inspired by architecture, she incorporated using all of the media available into her work.
This led on to training at the Royal College of Art, where she designed contemporary furniture, one of the pieces is in the V&A collection. Graduating in 1984 she worked for architectural practices in London.
A move to Kent in 1988 heralded a change. Although still working for architectural practice in London, she attended evening pottery classes whenever possible until she was finally able to build her own studio in 2004.
Marie feels she has come full circle, eventually returning to her first love of working with clay. She can be found in her studio most days.