Spring has definitely sprung and the bluebells are wonderful. We managed to get out for a family walk between the showers on Sunday. (We did loose a boy en route but that's another story-he did turn up at home much later!)

 In the past I've been very reluctant to make mugs as they are a lot of work and it seems to me you cannot charge very much for them. However, with the summer festivals coming up I decided I really needed to revisit them as people do enjoy buying mugs, after all it's very nice to take something home from a show and a mug is something you my use every day.

 Here are a few from the first batch I made and I've tried to make the decoration fairly loose (for me).

 Here are more mugs but from the second batch I made and I've used some stamps on them to add a different form of decoration.

 Here is a final mug which I am using myself now as I decided it was probably to 'free'.

 These bowls are commissions all ready to go to help celebrate somebodies special occasions.

Meet the family

Here they are - the whole family! Tomorrow my daughter, grandaughter and son-in-law all fly home to China. It's been an amazing few months with lots of fun and laughter.

Here's a picture of them at the Brampton olympics (but please don't tell them I posted this) held yesterday.

Drawings

 This is a page from my sketch book. I've been decorating bowls all week and I usually work from my sketch book. But at the moment I am trying to simplify the drawings so they aren't as naturalistic. 
In order to achieve this. I've then made some collages and  from these made some templates.
I'll try to remember to photograph the bowls and then I can assess how successful or otherwise they are.

pug mill for sale

 The weather was beautiful on Sunday and although the garden is very neglected the mug tree is in bloom.

 I have been busy making mugs recently and have attempted to make the decoration more free. Here are the first results- I think I've a way to go yet!

There is a pug mill for sale in Compton. It's approximately 5 feet long and is very heavy. It is currently secured to a low wooden bench. It's being sold for £100 if anyone is interested you can contact me via e mail - sgraffito2003@yahoo.co.uk
It will need a van to transport it but Mark and I can help with the loading.

Jugs

 Here are the templates for the pot I've been working on today. Sometimes the drawings on my pots are quite naturalistic. But for this I wanted a simple shape in keeping with the North Devon tradition. I am always fascinated by the templates as there is something very pleasing about such simple shapes. Often the templates end up in the bin as they are cut from very thin paper.
Looking at the jug now it looks very straight forward but it took me all day to scrape away the background. There is another jug waiting to be done in the damp cupboard. That will be tomorrow's task.
These jugs have been in the back of my mind since my trip to the Burton Museum in Bideford and even though I don't think I will pursue the idea I had to get it out of my system.

Fish and Ships

 Here are a few pots that are heading to North Devon this week-end. Following on from the firing last summer this exhibition is in the tradition of North Devon slipwares. it explores one of the common themes in that tradition.
The exhibition is at the Burton Museum and Art Gallery in Bideford. the museum boasts a fine collection of slipwares.

A day out

I often feel strong emotions when I see pottery. I confess my mouth waters when I see fabulous, colourful glazes. I get real pleasure from using pieces of pottery I have bought. Even if pottery is not to my personal taste I am interested and curious about how it was made and it's story.
But nothing prepared me for the total surprise of seeing Alexis Rego's work. It was almost shocking in its sheer audacity. Wonderful delicate organic forms that looked as though they had just come out of the sea but breathtaking by their sheer scale.
I often look forward to a day out when I've been in the studio all week but this was such a treat. There was also a very interesting video of Alexis talking about his work which was mesmerising, but then you'll have to visit yourself to see that.