Sally Usher

I always loved making creatures and figures from plasticine, mud, sand and anything else I could get my hands on when I was a child, making up stories in my head of what they thought and did.  I still have the sensation of playfulness and freedom when creating sculptures.

Working with clay in a strange way allows me to detach from the thinking part of the brain and instead allow the creative side to free form.  I find it rather mediative and therapeutic and often cannot account for the time spent. I start with an idea or sometimes just an emotion and as the works progresses, the clay often makes the decisions for me.

I find the second aspect of glazing the piece fascinating, and enjoy working with oxides washes, and glazing splatters.  It is amazing how the firing changes the piece with the excitement of opening the kiln to surprises on how things have turned out.

I’m not professionally trained, however have a wonderful mentor at Kenninghall Community Pottery Study, who pushes me in various directions (hopefully not down the stairs) to expand my practice and boundaries.   I have now displayed at “Grit” in Wymondham and have started taking commissions and selling my works.  My vision is to become a full time sculptor.

I hope my work gives a sense of peace, amusement, reflection and joy.