Lesley Taylor

I came late to ceramics having practised as a solicitor specialising in family law in London and the West Country, and having written A Guide to the Law for Parents together with barrister Jeannie Mackie, published by Penguin.

I began learning about ceramics about 10 years ago when I attended a course taught by renowned ceramicist and artist Sandy Brown at Appledore, on the North Devon coast. I started by making simple forms, small bowls and sculptures in clay mostly inspired by nature.

I made my pots by coiling strips of clay round and then moulding them to the desired shape. They were in crank or stoneware clay. I really enjoyed the painting of the fired pieces in glaze. I loved creating patterns and shapes.

Once I was hooked, I acquired my own kiln! I still make some tableware such as plates, bowls and goblets, and also garden pots and containers. However I soon got into making ceramic beads and jewellery, and from there I moved to making small tiles decorated with glaze and molten coloured glass. I enjoyed the act of making marks on the clay as much as painting it with glaze.

My current work is making 2D wall pieces from 3D tiles or tessellae. These are square tiles about 1 cm in depth and 3×3 cms approximately in size. I then arrange these on box frames 23×23 cms. These can be displayed individually or in groups.

My work has been displayed and on sale at The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington in North Devon. I exhibited at The Burton Art Gallery in Bideford, also in North Devon, at their Open Exhibition in 2022, and sold. I have also taken part in the inaugural Barnstaple Arts Festival in 2023, where my work was on display and on sale at the Barnstaple Museum and I have been commissioned to create a new bespoke work. I have exhibited with Artmakers at the Gallery Upstairs in Bideford and at National Trust property, Arlington in Devon, and sold work. I am a member of North Devon Arts, and have been included in their exhibitions at Appledore Book Festival, at North Devon District Hospital, and at TKMax in Barnstaple Town Centre