Grayson Perry

I am reading a book about Grayson Perry http://www.rbooks.co.uk/product.aspx?id=0099485168. This is what he has to say about making....

'My own creativity and art practice has been a mental shed - a sanctuary as well as a place of action - where I have retreated to make things. It gives me a sense of security in a safe e, enclosed space while I look out of the window on to the world. The shed was where I first learned to make things, where my subconscious was schooled in colour, texture and the concept of making. I still have that excitement now, of being very glad that i'm a maker and that my internal shed i always available. I can retreat into my head while I am in bed or in the bath - wherever I am - to think about things I want to make, and knowing that I will make them is extremely exciting.

This reminds me of my Grandad's shed. Under the sink I have a sharpening stone that belonged to my Grandad. Sometimes I like to unwrap it and take it out of the oily rag and smell it. It reminds me of all the time spent in the shed with my Grandad and my brother, making things out of wood. This must have seeped in. Me and Graeme (my brother) are both makers, he a carpenter, me a potter

Making!!

These are a couple of my new pots made since moving to Eastbourne. I have the kiln here now in the garage, just have to get it hooked up now and I am away. The top pot is influenced by Grayson Perry and classical greek shapes, the nipples are a toned down version of my usual literal nipples.

The bottom one is heavily inspired by a Cycladic pot from 1800-1550 BC. I saw it in the British Museum a few weeks ago. It was a special moment, it has nipples and everything I can't believe that thousands of years  ago there was a potter who had a thing about nipples. I thought I was the only one! But no, I have an ancient brother or sister. I had to sit down in the museum just to take it all in, I felt part of a long line of clay people. I can't imagine my pots will find themselves in the British Museum in a few thousand years time. My pots will out live me though and that is a strange feeling, since they are such a part of me.