While at university I studied art, specialising in graphics and printmaking, after experimenting with clay I decided it was rather difficult although I had some success with hand-building.  When my career didn't take me in that direction, I always pursued some type of art (photography, life-drawing, etching to name a few).  After moving to West Wales about 10 years ago and working from home as a project manager, I needed a creative outlet.  A ceramics class caught my eye and I decided to give it a go.  It turned out that throwing left-handed opened the door to thrown ceramics for me.  After a few years of lessons, I set up my own studio at home, which gave me flexibility and allowed more experimentation.  When making pots I'm most creative - it's doing rather than thinking, a different part of my brain; it's when the pots that I've dreamed about and doodled become reality.

The technical task of making different shapes is challenging.  Ceramics is a world of contrasts - taking a lump of raw clay and making something striking and functional.  The discipline that's needed to throw a pot in a way that demonstrates movement, emotion and passion is something I find fascinating.  Each pot will be slightly different to the last one - the beauty of the handmade.

The natural world is inspiring and what I see around me is a huge influence; the fluidity and colours of waves and the sea; the changes in the weather and seasons; the beauty of Welsh landscapes.  There is nothing more exciting than opening a glaze kiln and seeing the finished results for the first time; seeing if they live up to my hopes and expectations.