My story

I grew up in Ireland, but have lived and worked in Somerset for over 20 years. I work with clay and glass as a self-taught potter and stained glass artist. My first experience with clay was at a pottery evening class in my twenties, in a search for a creative outlet as a counterpoint to my day job in software engineering.


I relish the challenges of working with different media. It gives me an opportunity to explore different aspects of the same themes, working within different constraints.

Creating a clay pot is an instinctive, organic process for me, a coiled pot evolves as it grows under my hands, but traditional stained glass commands a much more disciplined approach - each design must be meticulously planned before beginning the construction. On the other hand, the stained glass process can be much more immediate and apparent, without the need to wait for the clay to dry at each stage in the process, and the kiln to fire.

Each medium presents its own challenges, constraints and delights, and I enjoy exploring the contrasts presented.


My garden, and the lush Somerset countryside provides much of the inspiration for my work, but I also look for inspiration in the beauty and discipline of early Islamic ceramics, oriental art, early English porcelain and art nouveau designers.