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Colleen Shaw,
Louth, Lincolnshire
UK
Website: http://www.colleenshaw.co.uk/
Email: contact@colleenshaw.co.uk
Artist Statement: I create paintings and ceramics of animals and vases decorated with raised surface patterns and hand painting.
Studio Description: My studio is spread around at home. I make pieces in the house at a large wooden table. The kiln is situated in an out building and I have a ‘studio’ shed in the garden.
What type of clay do you use? Earthenware.
What temperature do you fire to? 950 -1150
What is your primary forming method? I use slabs and pinch pots. I also work around paper forms.
What is your favorite surface treatment? I make a range of textures using ribbon, lace, small objects, handmade wire and clay stamps.
Do you make any of your own tools? I have started making carved clay stamps and I make dotters and paint brushes from the selvedge of painting canvas rolled up.
What one word would you use to describe your work? Heartfelt.
What is your favorite thing about your studio? It is at home. I can work at anytime.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without? Natural light.
What are your top three studio wishes? More space. Public access to a gallery space. The right workshop furniture.
What’s on your current reading list? Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated, I am learning alot.
How do you save money on materials and supplies? I plan to make plaster moulds.
How do you recharge creatively? I visit galleries, Earth and Fire in June and Potfest in the Park in the summer. I also buy ceramics. Walking my dogs on the beach and in the woods.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency? Just to label storage to make it quicker to find things.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome? To achieve brighter coloured slips and underglazes on terracotta earthenware.
What did you first piece look like? It is a coil pot that was raku fired and is coloured bronze and green.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why? To be able to reverse the disasters back into their initial raw state and start again.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why? My husband and I are learning together.
What is your studio playlist? The birds in my garden and the rain.
Why do you create art? Creating art is escapism. Its like going through all that you are, what you care about, what you love and bringing it out in to the world.
What is your best studio tip? Make it your personal creative go to place.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be? That it would not need to be hollowed out.
