About Mitch
From an early age I always had a passion for making with clay.
And while I had dipped my toe into the art world as a young adult, life had other ideas and my creative journey was put on hold for many years.
I’ve nurtured a determination to return to the creative world and become a full time ceramicist.
Initially making in my shed and on the kitchen table, I successfully exhibited at various ceramic fairs including the CPA’s Oxford Ceramic Fair in 2019.
My Journey
Buoyed up by my success, I applied to the Crafts Council Hothouse mentorship programme and was accepted in 2019. Hothouse was wonderful and I had a busy year exhibiting at many ceramic fairs.
I was invited to be part of 'One Year In' at New Designers as well as Rising Stars at The New Ashgate Gallery and was awarded Rising Star of 2019.
Ceramic Review listed me as One to Watch and the year culminated with me being selected for Ceramic Art London. 2019 was great year!
Currently
I graduated in 2022 from Bath School of Art and Design with an MA Fine Art (Ceramics).
I had always wanted to go back to art school and develop my sculpture. My final show was a revelation to me, completely different from anything I had ever made before! My work is now taking a more autobiographical direction with a view to further explore the work made at Bath.
I am so excited to continue my extraordinary ceramics journey working here in my studio, in glorious North Devon.
My work is now represented by some great British galleries.
I am a member of the Crafts Potters Association and Contemporary Applied Arts and have been featured in the US magazine Ceramics Monthly.
I have taken part in various exhibitions including Collect and continue to make for my galleries, private commissions and overseas clients.
For the past two years I have also enjoyed mentoring recent Graduates at New Designers.
My Work
Working with clay has always been my happy place where I could find calm and solace during my busy and challenging days.
I have always been drawn to organic and natural forms, especially the worn shells I would collect on my many beach-combing walks with my dogs. I have never been a maker designer as I prefer my work to evolve through the processes of making.
To sit quietly coiling and scraping transports me into a creative flow. As part of my MA research I wanted to understand why working with clay was integral to my mental health. It turns out that the subconscious connection with the clay enables the amygdala to calm itself, thus reducing anxiety and stress.
Each piece I make is very much a part of me. I work in stoneware and porcelain clay, using slips to enhance the natural texture of clay. The feel of raw clay whilst making, and the finished texture is very important to me. Clay connects us to the earth and nature, we are after-all, made of stardust.
Working in the studio
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Studio entrance
My ceramic studio was once a stable with a hay loft up above. The upstairs space is now an office/gallery/work space and the messy stuff happens downstairs.
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Coiling in progress
I tend to have a few pieces on the go. By the time I have put a coil on the last one, the first piece is firm enough to add another. I usually work on 4 to 8 pieces at a time, ranging in size from small pods to very large sculptures.
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Refining the edges
There are many stages of refinement. I scrape and sculpt to a certain point. When I can do no more I will further sand and refine the clay again once dried.
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Bisque fired pieces
Fresh from the kiln, waiting in the early morning light to be further refined. This time of day is so special as it is when I get to open the kiln!
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Fully loaded kiln!
Here is a selection of pieces destined for Ceramic Art London, 2022. Having a range of different sized pieces helps when packing a kiln.
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The art of packing!
The key is to source the right shape box for each piece and my Point sculptures need a lot of thought. I pack tightly around their widest part preventing vertical movement and, where necessary, I tie them into the box to prevent horizontal movement.