The Old Milking Machine Laboratories Part 1

It was a pleasure the other day to meet Sue Mundy, one of the artists who has a workshop at the old milking machine laboratories at High Copse Farm in Hyde End Road between Spencers Wood and Shinfield

Sue is a ceramicist and produces beautiful work inspired by natural themes. Her pieces are all hand made and I was there in time to see a fresh batch of work emerge from the gas fired kiln. It was interesting to learn that the process isn't 100% predictable - there's an element of chance with a gas fired kiln and Sue told me that sometimes, because of the variables involved, pieces can turn out slightly differently than expected. 

This reminds me of when I used to develop and print film, occasionally if the temperature wasn't absolutely perfect, variations would creep in that could change the quality of the final print. In this digital world I think that this handmade quality is lovely and that's one of the nice things about Sue's products, it's a chance to own a one-off, a unique piece.

This is Billy, Sue's faithful hound. He joined us outside for a portrait photograph.

Back inside the studio. 

A collage of some of Sue's work - plus an image of her potter's wheel from above. I thought the colours toned in nicely.

Thanks go to Sue for her time. Please check out her website. She's exhibiting at a range of different venues starting at the end of the month in Reading.