For me, it’s essential that each piece isn’t just visually appreciated but also invites touch. Every creation is one of a kind, crafted through hand-building, press molding, or slip pouring. I then enhance each piece with layers of coloured slip and incorporate natural elements like sand, rice, or seaweed to create intricate patterns and textures.

Every creation begins with a painting...

I begin by capturing moments through abstract paintings, using expressive marks and lines to evoke the essence of a view or memory. These serve as visual records, which I later bring into my ceramic work. Drawing inspiration from photographs or painting directly 'en plein air,' I develop ideas that influence my creative process.

Colour plays a vital role, though it’s not always true to life. I work with acrylics and Brusho—a vibrant powdered pigment—to create intense, dynamic hues. These colors are then translated into slips and oxides, which I apply to my ceramic forms. The abstract paintings become the foundation for each piece, guiding me as I shape the clay. Sometimes, the memory of the landscape flows intuitively through my hands, resulting in forms that reflect my connection to the rugged moors and dramatic coastline.

My work is deeply influenced by the weathered rocks, sweeping moorlands, heather-covered hills, and windswept coastlines. Through my ceramics, I aim to evoke the raw beauty of these landscapes—both visually and texturally. I want to invite the viewer to touch and explore each textured surface, experiencing the tactile marks that ground the piece in its origin. My hope is to bring a sense of the countryside to life, offering a connection to its rugged charm and timeless presence.

ABOUT SARAH

Sarah is a talented artist specialising in sculptural ceramics, where every piece tells a story. Her work is deeply rooted in the experiences and narratives that inspire her, blending artistic vision with a thoughtful understanding of context. Drawing from the beauty of the outdoors, particularly the North York Moors with their striking rock formations and cliffs, Sarah’s creativity thrives on her fascination with shape, form, line, and space.

Her process begins with a walk in nature, a breathtaking view, or a photograph, which she then interprets through abstract painting. From there, she translates these inspirations into clay, molding and manipulating it to embrace the unknown and celebrate the unpredictability of the medium. Through texture, patterns, and marks, Sarah communicates her ideas without relying on words. Her work often reflects figurative forms such as standing stones, gateposts, beach groins, rock formations, and boulders. These elements merge to evoke the rugged beauty of the moors and coastline, capturing the essence of weathered rocks, sprawling heather, and the untamed landscapes of her surroundings.

Sarah holds a degree in Contemporary Craft from York College University and recently completed an MA in Visual Practice with a focus on Ceramics at the University of Sunderland.