Studio Stories: From Illustration to Ceramics
Creativity has always been my constant companion. As a kid, I was always the one with my hands in motion—whether it was drawing, building, or dreaming up new things to create. I remember spending hours crafting little sculptures, sketching out characters, or playing with shapes and colours. My imagination ran wild, and I quickly realized that this urge to create wasn’t something I could ignore.
After completing my A-Levels, I decided to pursue my passion for art by enrolling in an Art Foundation course in Nottingham at NCN. It was there that I was able to explore different mediums and refine my creative voice. The foundation year opened my eyes to various possibilities and helped me better understand the direction I wanted to take, even though I wasn’t entirely sure where that would be just yet.
Moving to Cardiff: A New Chapter in Illustration
With the goal of studying illustration, I packed up my life and moved from Nottingham to Cardiff to attend university. It was a big step for me, but I was excited to dive into the world of illustration, convinced that this was the path I was meant to take. University was an amazing experience—surrounded by talented, like-minded individuals, and learning new techniques and approaches to design. I loved it, but something didn’t quite click.
Despite the fantastic opportunities, I found myself struggling with a troubled relationship with illustration. I was more drawn to 3D work than I ever was to 2D design, and I didn’t quite feel like I was ready to step into the illustrative world. I hadn’t developed the skills I had expected to gain during my studies, and it left me feeling unsure of my place in the creative industry. In hindsight, I can now see that illustration wasn’t the right fit for me, at least not in the way I imagined.
A Spark in Ceramics
In my final year of university, I dabbled with ceramics, and that’s when I felt something shift. The process of creating something tactile, something that had both form and function, lit a fire in my belly. It felt like a new language, a completely different creative outlet, and it sparked something inside of me that illustration hadn’t. I started to realise that I wasn’t just a designer—I was a maker. I created 6 ceramic pieces for my final year show at University, with an accompanying book titled 'In Holes and Corners'.
The Cardiff Years: Work, Life, and the Draining Hustle
I spent the next eight years living in Cardiff, where I worked in hospitality and later for a car insurance company. While these jobs gave me financial stability, they also drained my creative spirit. I was stuck in a routine that felt soul-sucking, and I longed for the day when I could fully immerse myself in the creative world I knew I belonged to. Despite my struggles, I kept pushing through, always holding onto the spark I’d found in ceramics.
In 2020, I decided to explore ceramics more seriously. I enrolled in a 6-week throwing course, hoping it would help me discover a new medium I could pursue. However, I quickly realized that throwing wasn’t for me—the rhythm of the wheel didn’t suit my creative process. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands.
Becoming Self-Taught in Ceramics
I embraced the self-taught journey in ceramics. I spent countless hours experimenting, learning techniques, and finding my own voice in hand-building and slip casting. There was something so rewarding about working with clay in this way—it felt raw and authentic, like I was reconnecting with my true creative self.
It wasn’t always easy, but the more I worked with clay, the more I realised that this was my medium. I loved the tactile nature of hand-building, the freedom to mold and shape my ideas into reality. It felt like I was building my own path, one piece at a time.
Turning Passion into Business
In 2021, I made the decision to return to Nottingham, bought my first kiln and I began building my small business around my ceramic work. By October 2023, I had gone full-time with my ceramics business, and I haven’t looked back since. As I approach my 5th year of running my business, I’m filled with excitement for what the future holds. I’m proud of how far I’ve come—from a curious illustrator to a self-taught ceramicist with my own brand.
I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that led me here, even though it wasn’t always clear at the time. Creativity has been my constant companion, guiding me through all the twists and turns. Now, I’m more confident than ever in my craft and excited to see where this journey will take me next.
The best part? This is just the beginning. With my business now flourishing full-time for over a year, I can’t wait to see what new creative challenges and opportunities await. Here’s to the next chapter of growth, exploration, and making!
