Born in Suffolk and raised between the marshlands of Suffolk and the valleys and mountains of Wales, Jane grew up surrounded by creativity. With an illustrator and potter for a mother and an author for a father, making has always been part of her story.⁠

Now based in rural Co. Clare, Jane is a completely self-taught ceramic artist. Rather than using glazes, she treats clay as a canvas, drawing directly into the surface of unfired forms and building layers of oxides and stains through multiple firings.⁠

Cad é an gnáthlá sa stiúideo cosúil leatsa?

Coffee first, (vital) as I sit and contemplate my day, which could be anything from tidying my studio prior to beginning new work, to deciding on what direction to take next, to completeting work in progress, or loading/unloading the kiln, or working into the surface of recently fired work. There is no typical day as such.

Cad é an rud is mó a thaitníonn leat faoi do chuid oibre?

I mostly like drawing into and texturing the surface of my unfired work, then using oxides to paint onto it both before the initial firing, then adding further oxides and slips in between the further firings. I get very excited and absorbed by the process, as well as the uncertainty and successful outcomes.

Cad é an rud is lú a thaitníonn leat faoi do chuid oibre?

Reconstituting clay!

Cad é an rud ceardaíochta is fearr leat i do theach?

I have so many favorites, from my own pieces which I sometimes keep because I cant bear to part from them, to my departed mothers own pottery, to ceramics gifted or purchased from friends.

Inis dúinn faoin gcéad earra ceardaíochta a rinne tú

Probably an odd looking animal made in my mothers pottery at the age of about six.

Cá bhfaigheann tú do inspioráid?

My inspiration apart from the above listed artists, is whenever I walk along the coast gazing at rock formations, the ocean, and watching birds especially crows.

Cad é an chuid is dúshlánaí de do cheird?

Trying to decide what to start on next. I am a terrible procrastinator.

An gné thábhachtach de do ghnó í an inbhuanaitheacht?

As much as is feasible. I have a massive tub of off-bits of clay which is squidgy and horrible to get my hands into, but I re-use all that I can. I do multi-fire my work, but at a very low temp (1050) which saves wear and tear on my kiln despite the work often being fired 5 or 6 times.

An raibh “timpiste sona” agat riamh agus tú ag déanamh rud éigin?

Oh God…all the time ! I never really know how things will turn out until they do. Sometimes its a reasonably expected outcome, but as I never take notes (blame it on my rebellious nature) but rely on experience and my knowledge of the materials, I try and constantly push the boundaries. Often resulting in me dancing around the studio in delight after opening the kiln.

Cad a thug ort do smacht a roghnú?

Probably in an abstract way my mother. She never taught me as such, because I was a lousy student, but I must have absorbed enough enthusiasm from my early days for working in clay to come naturally to me.

Cad é an chuid is dúshlánaí de do cheird?

Trying to decide what to start on next. I am a terrible procrastinator.

Cad a déarfá le duine ar bith atá ag smaoineamh ar bheith ina bhall de DCCI?

‘Do’.

Conas a chothromaíonn tú cruthaitheacht leis an taobh gnó de rudaí?

Umm…thats a moot point. I wish I was more businesslike. I would rather be creative.

An leabhar is fearr leat?

Thats an impossible question. I have so many.

Scannán is fearr leat?

Again impossible. But I have recently watched The Silver Branch , a beautifully poetic film about the Burren.

An cheolchoirm is fearr a bhí agat riamh?

Martyn Hayes every time.

Cad leis a n-éisteann tú?

Cafe Orchestra, Mozart, Buena Vista, Vivaldi. It all depends on whether I need to slow down and concentrate, or I am at a stage where I need more energy while I work.