Toni Richards

Functional, decorative and sculptural pieces. Thrown and hand-built stoneware

Home and Tableware / Sculptural / Decorative / Jewellery / Animals and Birds / Garden / Wall Pieces / Stoneware / Handbuilt / Thrown / Slip Cast / Electric /

toni.richards@btopenworld.com

http://www.tonirichardsceramics.co.uk

South

Path and Inspiration

I discovered at the age of 20, during my first encounter with clay, that pottery is good for the soul. After a long career in education, I came back to ceramics. Primarily I make things for myself. Things I enjoy looking at, touching and using. I love living with beautiful objects that give me joy and contentment and I strive to make pieces that are visually attractive, that catch the eye, that people want to touch.

Process and Practice

I mainly work with stoneware clay that has a high porcelain content. It is fine, yet versatile. I throw some pieces and hand-buil others, using the slab method. Both techniques are highly satisfying, but the time consuming part of the making process is decorating. I love to use coloured slips, to draw, paint and print on the surface. Recently, because of my love of statement jewellery, I have been making earrings and brooches which showcase the contrasting textures of silver and high fired.