April 2026 Monthly Analysis of Progress

This month’s analysis of progress is less based on my learning agreement and more a commentary on what I have been up to marked against more personal and business based progress.

The main ‘event’ of the month was UCLAY.  This is an exhibition of alumni, staff and artists in residence connected to University of Lancashire Ceramics department over recent years.  Second year students put together their work in progress in a couple of cabinets upstairs from PR1 Gallery.  We had one shelf between the three of us to fill, and then another shelf each.  The event proved interesting from a personal perspective.

Aside from seeing all the amazing work from the ceramic artists involved, I found the process of displaying my work to be an unexpectedly positive experience.  I gave little thought to what I would display and simply took lots of bits and pieces upstairs and then arranged them to be viewed from all sides in my allocated cabinet.  I gathered narratives (displayed and printed), drawings, extruder dies, test tiles, mini heads, and some larger pieces of work.  I had one shelf but used the empty bottom shelf to display my drawings, as Shenac had done in her cabinet with Lucy. 

The surprising thing was when I came back to see the completed displays during the private viewing, I was actually pleased with what I had cobbled together.  It made me see my work through different eyes and I could see my own process laid out before me.  Kind of similar to looking at the work of a student I didn’t know and seeing what they were working on, trying to achieve, and how they were working through it.  It was cathartic and it has helped my confidence in seeing my progress so explicitly.

Our last written assignment is due in during the summer and takes the form of a poster containing images and written work on our own practice.  It’s been laborious and difficult!  Difficult as there is little work to photograph at present, and laborious as it’s taken much mental trawling to complete the one and a half thousand words. 

That said, I did enjoy the research that ensued to gather relevant quotes.  I looked at Grayson Perry as, although not a huge fan of his work (I definitely appreciate it, but don’t wish to own any), I agree with his stance on art needing to be enjoyed simply for what it is.  I have written a separate blog about this, so won’t repeat it here.

Suffice to say, I’ve broken the back of the work on my poster, presented it to the MA groups and had a very interesting time listening to others in my group describe their work.  Now I just need to get making so that I can get photographing and then updating both pictures and words in time for the hand in.

This month has seen yet more research into glazes.  Specifically, a low to mid fire transparent matte glaze recipe.  I’ve searched in books, online, in forums and asked around and I simply cannot find one.  Moreover, I have had several responses saying I’m searching for the holy grail and that one doesn’t really exist and I’m better off buying a proprietary one.  I’ve got to the point where I think I am better off sticking to the high fire one that I know works.  I was just trying to be more environmentally aware and fire my work lower.  It will have to go on a back burner for now as I have so many other strands to bring together.

I have completed the glazing of my mini heads and cameos.  The cameos I hoped would work, the mini heads were just maquettes.  I’m happy with neither.  To summarise, the dirty glaze effect I still like, and I think it works for the most part.  The crackly glaze works only on the white clay and when inked to show to imperfections.  However, the shine detracts from the dirty wash and looks awful over the black background on the cameos.  The black clay with the cream engobe looks dreadful, but the grey clay with the dirty wash looks okay.  The coloured inks don’t work well at all, so I’m scraping that idea altogether.

Additionally, the cross-hatching surface design technique to catch the dirty wash looks poor and I don’t think it was necessary anyway.

On reflection, not the greatest list of successes, but, as ever, I’ve confirmed that I prefer a matte finish and still like the dirty glaze technique.  Coloured clays could be a way forward as these look quite good, depending on the piece.

Alongside posters and builds, I have been looking in depth at my branding this month.  My website needed to be overhauled before Ceramic Wales in June.  This I have carried out and I now have a nifty contact form, a new colour scheme and pictures that are more relevant.  These are temporary until I have photographs of more relevant work to put up there.

I have also designed myself a new logo and have sent this off to be made into a stamp for on my work.  This will also feature on my website when I next refine a few snags I have noted.

FInally, I designed and ordered some new business cards. These are only temporary and are for Ceramic Wales, but I can update them accordingly when I have better photographs of my work.

Artist research this month has been low on the agenda.  I have done some online research on new followers (that post is now at nearly 25,000 views and 230 new followers) which has been fun.  I also visited Oriel Glasfryn Gallery in North Wales (www.orielglasfryn.com) and was impressed by the curation of the ceramics on display.  I will definitely be going back there again and I’m looking forward to the new works by End Times Pottery (www.instagram.com/endtimespotteryclub/) coming on display soon. 

Finally, I have been drawing several new pieces to make. I’ll leave these in abeyance until I have built them though.  Suffice to say, they are larger pieces and include a tableau and some strong narratives.

Will there be anything left to do for May?!