Stephen Breuer: Potter
Originally from Hungary, Stephen has spent most of his working life teaching chemistry at Lancaster
University.With retirement looming ever larger, in the 90s he started looking for a new adventure and
having enjoyed handling and using hand-made pots all his adult life, he decided to make his own.After
attending evening classes in pottery at Lancaster Adult College, it became clear that he had a real gift
and set up at home as a potter. His main ambition is to make usable pots that are good to look at and to
handle; this way the container can add an extra dimension to the pleasure gained from the contents."I
make traditional shapes in stoneware in strong colours, with shiny or satin glazes that feel good in the
hands. For decoration I let the glazes and their interactions in their molten state provide the surface
beauty."
Stephen’s statement
"I intend to continue to explore the possibilities afforded by the infinite
possibilities of glaze mixtures, and here my background as a chemist comes
in quite handy."
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Babs Taylor: Potter
Babs started
her ceramics career at an evening class in Bolton in 1981. Several ceramics and design courses later,
she graduated from the University of Central
Lancashire in 1990. She taught City & Guilds ceramics at Bolton Community College for 6 years before
becoming head of department in 1997 and finally leaving the profession to set up her own studio in 2001.
Babs does not like to specialise in one area of her craft, her work encompasses pottery as a whole. She
uses many different making processes including throwing, coiling, slab building, press moulding and
casting. Working mainly in stoneware and raku she formulates her own slips and glazes from the raw
ingredients giving a unique quality and finish to her work.
Bab’s statement
"Inspiration for my pieces are derived mainly from the natural
environment; the changing seasons, sunrise and sunset, clouds and lightning, petals, seeds and peeling
bark and the colours and textures of the landscape, sometimes seemingly impressionist, especially at
dusk and dawn."
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Heidi Berry: Artist, Illustrator, Muralist, Furniture Designer
After working in the field of Art and Design for over 15 years she was awarded a first
class honours degree in furniture design in 1996. Heidi has since worked freelance as an
illustrator and designed furniture for several manufacturing companies. In 1999 she took
a year off work to travel the world during which time she continued to draw by
documenting the trip in sketch form."Many of my illustrations have a story behind them,
from Flamingos in Chile, Albatrosses in New Zealand to European Boats and Architecture. I
now live an idyllic life working from my cottage in the Forest of Bowland, doing
something I really love."
Heidi’s statement
"I have quite an unusual style of drawing
which I think comes from my technical drawing training. I work mainly in fine line ink &
watercolor. I hate cluttered, fussy art & like to create a flow to the piece. I feel that
the spaces are as important as the subjects featured & try to limit the number of colours
I use."
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Rachel Hearne: Contemporary Jewellery
Whilst living in her native California, Rachel earned an A.A. Design Degree in 1996
from Moorpark College and a B.A. Jewellery Degree in 1998 from Humboldt State
University. In 2002, Rachel met her husband whilst travelling and relocated to the UK
in 2003. She has set up her own business designing and producing contemporary
jewellery from her studio in NW England. Predominately working in silver, Rachel uses
various fabrication methods such as forging, piercing, filing and chasing to bring
texture and form to each piece of adornment. She often uses other precious metals such
as gold, as well as semi precious stones and organic materials to incorporate colour
and contrast into her designs. She is heavily influenced by her everyday surroundings
and draws inspiration from geology, flora and fauna.
Rachel’s statement
"Collecting has been a common activity throughout my life and natural objects like rocks, bark,
seeds, petals and pollen are themes found in my designs. Many of the current textures
and shapes I use are influenced by sketchbooks from my travels abroad as well as
outings into the English countryside. I find that memories and impressions of my
surroundings are the biggest source of inspiration while designing jewellery. Items
such as rocks, bark, seeds, petals and pollen have become recurrent themes found in my
collections and designs."
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Myra Weir: Fine Lines
Interested in drawing from an early age, Myra is self taught.The inspiration to
start drawing with pen and ink came in 1982 when she was given the book ‘A Lune
Sketchbook’ by Alfred Wainwright. It contained many richly detailed pen and ink drawings.
Myra was instantly hooked and bought herself some technical pens and ink. Using the book
as her inspiration she set about the task of trying to draw some of Lancaster’s historic
buildings.
Myra’s statement
"I am inspired by stone, wood, glass and light and enjoy
the challenge of trying to convey the character and essence of the scenes that I draw.
Texture, colour and reflection all play their part in my work.Through my drawings, I hope
to capture more than plain walls, windows and doors by bringing out the fascinating
character of buildings whatever their age."
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Elaine M E Gaffney
Born in Warrington, Elaine was educated in Manchester and trained as a nurse,
although she would have loved to have gone to Art School. Having lived in Blackpool for
over 30 years she continued to draw and after returning from a holiday in Scotland with a
number of drawings shed decided to learn how to paint. It became her escapism whilst
looking after her ill husband Brian who died in 1996. At the age of 54 Elaine started on a
BA (Hons) in Scientific & Natural History Illustration where she was inspired, gaining a
Lancaster University Upper Second Class Degree in 2002. Since leaving college she has set
up as a freelance artist based in Blackpool.
Elaine’s statement
"I paint and draw in the hope that my images show the world
that inspires me and keeps true to nature to bring pleasure."
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