I work from my garden studio in Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, Cornwall. My ceramics are thrown by hand on the potters wheel using local St Agnes Clay, less than a mile away.
I create both functional and display pieces, minimal in design using my surroundings as inspiration. Nestled around the Cove, the Engine Houses and chimneys, with their straight lines tapering up, a reminder of Cornwall's mining heritage, along with eroded pebbles scattered on the beach.
All my pieces are in muted satin matt glazes to further reflect the natural colours around St Agnes, from the North Cornish Sea, seaweeds and ferns, granite and slate.
I was fortunate enough to study ceramics in my final year at secondary school, my tutor encouraging me to perfect throwing, sculpting and glazing techniques.
30 years later I decided to pursue my love and interest in clay again, going to evening classes at college for 6 months to study ceramics, getting back on the wheel, learning various other skills and absorbing as much technical information as I could. The last 5 years I have been building my studio and purchasing equipment, to finally be back throwing on the wheel again in April 2022
My history with clay goes back further to my Great Grandfather Peter Steedman, born in 1864 who worked as a potter from the age of 15/16 with 2 of his brothers at Grays Pottery in Musselburgh, until it closed in 1928. He then travelled to Portobello to work at Gray’s Pottery there, which eventually became Buchan Potteries. He worked with white stoneware clay and when glassware became fashionable, he thought that was the end of stoneware for domestic use!
Great Grandfather, Peter Steedman far left with his brothers, taken in overalls at Grays Pottery, Musselburgh
You can follow my Instagram account for my latest progress.