Maker of the Month- July
Rona Slevin Ceramics
Bio
My love of clay and ceramics started at secondary school where I had great art teachers who were very encouraging and enthusiastic. We were allowed to use the art department in lunch breaks which was fun and an escape from the daily mayhem of a school in Maryhill!
After leaving school I studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1979-83 gaining a degree in Art & Design/Ceramics.
I had a long career in Social Work/Mental Health and retired in December 2022. Throughout my working life I always kept up some kind of art practice including glasswork and painting. In 2010 I returned to making ceramics and have a studio/kiln at home. I am really enjoying having more time in my studio to make and experiment.
I draw inspiration for my work from a variety of sources, mainly from nature. I always have a camera to hand to capture images/source material to use in my studio/workshop. Most of my ceramics pieces are made using hand building techniques. I enjoy using slabs and coils of clay to make my work and use a variety of tools to improve the form and create textures. They are all firstly bisque fired in my electric kiln and then glaze fired in either the electric kiln or my raku kiln.
How did you become interested in ceramics?
I had great art teachers at school who were very encouraging. We were allowed to use the art department in breaks to be creative and use the pottery making facilities.
Did you take classes or are you self taught?
On leaving school I went to Glasgow School of Art and gained a degree in Art & Design (Ceramics)
What is your favourite part of the ceramic making process?
I have always enjoyed the process of hand building pots. Now that I have retired I am looking forward to having more time to experiment. I also enjoy the decorating and glazing of my work, another area of my practice I look forward to developing.
What would be your dream project?
To make something on a much larger scale, possibly a piece of public art.