Gail West

Working with clay for over twenty five years has been a wonderful journey for me.  Exploring the scope of diversity in colour, texture and form in this medium of clay keeps me forever inspired. From the beginning, experimenting with electric -fired cone six glazes and then more recently using horse hair, inspired from Native American pottery techniques. Over the past years, getting outside with the elements and smoke firing the ware in the ground, revealing 'one of a kind' pieces of organic coloured hues on the surface of each pot.   
 
My style of work, often described as whimsical and organic in nature also reveals my sense of humour, perhaps with a naked form on a cup or a tower of plates and cups, teetering to one side. I am an artist creating work with a combination of function and art always in mind, changing up the techniques of firing to enlighten new interest for myself and the onlooker.  Inspirations for my work is often dominated by the colour, texture and form of the natural beauty of my surroundings.