Gillian Highland BA
​​I re-opened my workshop in 2010 on a full time basis in order to create individual hand made pieces, either for the table as well as sculptural pieces which could be used outside.
The process of making pots encompasses the core elements- earth, fire, air and water. I use clay in an attempt to express my sense of being part of life. It is a necessary expression of my natural creative forces. My work, design and decoration is inspired by the landscape in which I live. There is also a theme of balance, the moon phases and the sun, the inevitable cycle of day and night and the balance of positive and negative. This is the essence of every day life and greatly influences the perception of my work.
 I enjoy the muted subtle colours of reduction stoneware and use a small palette of glazes to enhance the strength of form. My raku pots are a new investigation to try to capture sunrise and sunsets, and find the depth of colour in the lustres as inspirational, this work is ongoing. Slab pots are a means of carrying a landscape decoration, This is often inlaid with coloured contrasting clay, which I hope encompasses some of my core ideals.
Time is the enemy, relentless, uncompromising and inevitable. Always present is a sense of urgency to put into a three dimensional form that which is seen in the inspiration of creativity.

 The frustration is never quite managing to achieve the original idea. There is always a huge flow of ideas from the initial inspiration, the challenge is to focus and peel away the layers to find the core and realise perfection.
 
Website: www.gillianhighlandceramics.co.uk.
Mobile: 07789 453544