Background.
Wendy Lawrence discovered clay on an Art Foundation course. She went on to receive a BA in 3D Design (Ceramics) from UCLan in 1998. On completion of her degree she gained a PGCE and continues to teach all ages and abilities. Wendy currently divides her time between making her own work, teaching and collaborating with other artists and disciplines.
Inspiration.
She is interested in the textures of natural geological forms which she observes on her walks by the sea near her home in Denbigh, North Wales. She is immersed in geology which is her continuing focus, “evolving into an appreciation of natural form and texture in its entirety”
Her work is also inspired by monoliths, stone circles, troughs and wheels, “forms that capture the majesty of stone.”
Ways of Making.
In order to express the qualities of stone Wendy employs a variety of hand building techniques. She gouges out solid pieces, slab builds, coils, drapes slabs into moulds and carves solid pieces of clay. Her work has evolved gradually, becoming more textural and carved.
Her latest work “combines the simplicity of form and textural carved elements found within erosion, focusing on sculptural pieces which are no longer a surface quality but become part of the form itself.”
Surface decoration and Glazing
She uses volcanic glazes which she multi-layers on to the pieces, adding copper, vanadium and titanium under and over the glazes. Silicon Carbide in the glaze creates a gas whilst firing, creating bubbles and blisters. These highly reactive substances create rich textural effects which evoke the natural structure of the rock strata. The work is fired in an electric kiln to 1260 degrees centigrade.
I enjoyed an interesting and informative chat on the phone with Wendy Lawrence. Such a lovely lady, a really down to earth and honest person.
Her initial inspiration came “from stone which developed into anything natural”.
We talked about other ceramic artists and found that two of the artists I particularly admire, Jenny Beavan and Beverley Bell Hughes, are both great friends of hers.
Beverley Bell Hughes Jenny Beavan Wendy Lawrence
The social side of networking and exhibiting is hugely important to Wendy, in what would have been her 20th year at Earth and Fire. She is extremely busy and exhibits around an average of twelve shows a year, not counting the galleries. She is fond of road trips and exhibits in Germany and the Netherlands, having good times meeting up with friends and colleagues on the ferries. Collaborative work is a joy to her and a source of mutual inspiration.
When I asked about her glazing techniques she modestly explained that it was simply a case of layering up with a limited range of glazes and adding oxides.
Wendy generously invited me to contact her for advice at any time in the future.
Teaching remains an important part of her life as she teaches weekend courses at her home and when she is open for classes once more I’ll be the first in the queue! What a pleasure to chat to her today, it has given me the chance to apologise in person for my attempt at “In the Style of Wendy Lawrence”.
In order to better understand Wendy Lawrence’s creative processes I made several maquettes of her sculptural forms in order to explore the way she carves into and mark
makes on her work. From these test pieces I subsequently chose which of her techniques were most suited to making a sculptural piece of my own design.
The pieces of Wendy’s work I based the maquettes on were:
2 curved forms with pitted and wave carving:
A disc with multi textured and layered surface decoration:
A pitted curved form
I have a large piece of found bark which I find particularly interesting. The inner bark has contours similar to those on Wendy Lawrence’s wave textures. I made sketches of “my” bark and began to design my own piece. I was pleased with the outcome as this was a technique I hadn’t used previously.
UNFORTUNATELY the work blew into pieces during firing, I thought I had managed my moisture but apparently not!
My finished pieces in the style of Wendy Lawrence
I have, among my vast bark collection, another favourite piece of found bark. Looking at the outer bark this time I made sketches and designs, intending once more to emulate the style of Wendy Lawrence. Once I started making the piece I became quite absorbed and forgot all about her style.
The piece does not really shout “Wendy Lawrence” to me but I have found a deeper sense of self confidence during this project which has seen me step out of my comfort zone once more and recognise the importance of getting to grips with the sketch pad.
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