My background is in secondary school teaching (art) but pottery has been my career since 2003 and my hobby for as long as l can remember! I really enjoyed my time teaching and worked in some fabulous schools with some great kids but sadly the admin and politics began to take their toll. My partner Andy was in a similar position with his career and so we decided to pack it all in and go for a 'lifestyle change'. We sold up in West Yorkshire, moved to Cumbria and set up the pottery business. I had a makeshift studio in the house for a year or so while Andy 'remodelled' the adjacent outbuilding and am now happily ensconced in a lovely warm purpose built studio with views to die for and my own ceramics gallery & exhibition space next door! I've always travelled a lot (my Dad was in the RAF) and my art has been enormously influenced by the continents and countries l've visited and people l've met. Africa, however, has been the most significant influence.

In the mid 1980's l signed up on a 6 months London to Nairobi overland expedition. The truck took us through the Western Sahara, down through Algeria, Niger and Cameroon and across to Kenya through CAR, and Zaire. It was an exciting trip and one that left me hungry to experience more of Africa. I said goodbye to the truck and my fellow travellers at Nairobi and continued south on public transport eventually ending up in Northern Botswana. I worked for a while at 'Croc Camp' in the heart of the Okavango Delta before heading back north through Zambia, Tanzania and Zaire. Public transport African style is not the most comfortable or the most reliable way to travel but it did give me an unforgettable insight into the people and their cultures.

My African figures are clearly inspired by my travels but are also influenced by the work of western artists (particularly Giacometti and Modigliani). I'm really into bright colours and geometric patterns both of which can be found in abundance throughout African culture. None of my designs are based on any particular tribal dress but more of a melting pot of memories and images. I'm always looking for new source material and have recently started a series of poses loosely based around work by Manet and Ingre. I've also incorporated some of Matisse's pattern designs which themselves have African influence.

When we moved to Cumbria our 5 cats came with us and we've since added 2 dogs to the family. 'Temba' is a Flat Coated Retriever and 'Raffi' an Italian Spinone. The dogs make wonderful models full of energy and movement and even the cats can be quite animated at feeding times!

When not in the Studio l enjoy walking with the dogs in the Eden Valley or the Lakeland fells, reading, gardening, drawing and painting. I've usually got a textile project of some sort on the go and, when time and money permit, l'm quite partial to a Mediterranean beach holiday!

If there's anything in particular you'd like to know about my work please drop me an email. You're very welcome to visit the Studio next time you're in Cumbria or come and meet us at one of the fabulous pottery shows we exhibit at during the Spring and Summer months.

Thanks again for visiting.