Hi everybody, I'm Vickie!
I studied Contemporary Applied Arts at the university of Hertfordshire. Since graduating in 2006 I have concentrated on producing more functional ware rather than sculptural. My work ranges from wheel thrown organic forms to paper clay sculptural pieces. The glazes I use are an infusion of many tests and colours which I try to overlap when applying. The combination of multiple colours can create fantastically unpredictable results.
My initial inspiration came from organic growths in nature; woodland textures and colours are a fascination. The process of wood firing sparked an interest during my degree, however wood-firing facilities were not available and so I took on the challenge to try and re-create these effects in an electric kiln. By oxidising, glazes were bright and vivid but when reduced (with the use of saggars) the same glazes transformed into subtle yet beautiful effects. The kind of effects that you would not see initially but would emerge one by one each time you view the pot. This was the element of wood firing that I was trying to achieve.