Residency with Kate Standen

Had a very productive and interesting week at Kate Standen's studio in Leap, West Cork. Kate has a custom built studio at her home and makes work based on the natural colours of the local landscape. She has written a book about inclusions in clay which prompted me to contact her about working in her studio to learn more. We made batches of clay and she started to make a large vessel whilst I was there, there is so much to learn - from the mixing of clay, mould making, layering and all the processes needed to produce a finished piece.

I made a number of samples using combustible material gathered from the beach and local fields, I also made test panels inspired by the visit to Newgrange. It was so useful to have an opportunity of working in an artist's studio and I hope to apply some of her processes to my own work next term.