Greenbank Pottery
I am a potter based in East Bristol. I have a studio in my garden, built from scrap materials and make pottery inspired by nature and sustainability. My designs are rooted in nature and the earth. They echo my love of the outdoors and reflect how my allotment and garden help ground me.
A balance of chaotic and calm, my pottery is designed to be both useful and beautiful. I love to make things to be used day to day and bring people joy.
My pots are thrown on a kick-wheel (pedal powered) using water collected from my roof. They are single fired to reduce electricity consumption and keep the creative process flowing. I mainly work in earthy, natural colours, blues and greens and browns and like to focus on the feel of the finished form.
I’ve got an online shop here but love to keep my business as local as possible so do come visit me at arts trails and markets around Bristol.
If you see something you fancy online that isn’t listed on my shop, do email me (greenbankpottery AT gmail.com) or message me on instagram or facebook. I can deliver locally by bike or I can post UK wide. I can also make to order within my style of items, although I’ll be honest, I’m not quick at commissions.
Background on my ceramics
My first forays into clay were on childhood residential courses at Eden Pottery in Cumbria. I made very wonky marbled bowls which spent many years lost in my parents garden. I went on to do ceramics as part of art GCSE but then my formal education got science focused.
As an adult, I learnt to throw whilst dressed as a Tudor at the amazing Kentwell Hall historical re-enactments. The conditions were sometimes adverse. The kick wheel was wonky, the clay in short supply, the shed was falling down. We learnt as we went, in front of a crowd of amazed visitors. We made (and still make) terracotta pots and fire them on site in a wood firing kiln. They are glazed in honey glazes, along with blood, sweat and gin. There are few places I’d rather be than tired and aching and staring into the flames of that kiln.
In the real world, I have taken many different classes with lots of different teachers! Bernie Vinton was very encouraging of experimentation which I really enjoyed. The best kitted out teaching studio I have used has been at Bristol Folk House where I’ve been taught by Margaret Crump, Bill Moore and Sam Hallett, all of whom were excellent teachers.
Over the last 5 years my work has been highly influenced by my love of nature. I aim to create natural feeling pottery that is calm and grounding and what I make changes with the seasons.
