In Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of music, and I liked the idea of aligning his name and symbol with my studio because I worked as a professional harpist for over forty years. I took up pottery ten years ago, and it has been a revelation.
Making pottery is a slow, mindful process; at every stage of the procedure, you may only move at the speed determined by the material. Meticulous dexterity is required, and transferring my skills from gut strings to organic clay has given me the opportunity to work in a totally different medium. It has allowed me the freedom to be creative with my fingers, away from the public scrutiny of performance, and to learn privately from my mistakes and build on my skills. Unexpectedly, the isolation of Covid granted me the time to hone my skills and further develop my interest in ceramics and explore my nascent ideas of design and function. I have subsequently attended short courses at The Clay College, The Leach Pottery School and Messums West. Having travelled globally, working as Rachel Masters, Principal Harp in the London Philharmonic Orchestra, I have visited and absorbed many different cultures, and this diversity has influenced my style. My simple aim is to produce well designed vessels which enhance daily life.
My chosen medium is stoneware which fires to a higher temperature than earthenware, and is therefore stronger and ideal for daily use. It is hard wearing, and as my work has been fired to over 1200oC, it can safely be placed in the oven, microwave and dishwasher, or on an Aga shelf.
Each piece is individual and no two kiln firings produce the same results. My designs are constantly changing, and I am always happy to explore new ideas. So, if something has taken your fancy, please go to my contact page to start a conversation.