I look for opportunities to explore the huge potential of ceramics, making shapes and creating colour. Clay can be organised by throwing, cutting and joining into expressive forms. Slips and glazes, coloured by oxides and stains, fluxed to be transparent, shiny or opaque matt, can be overlaid or contrasted. All this is fused at great heat in the kiln. I find subjects for my creations in fascinating birds. The exotic colours of toucans and the patterns of plumage on water birds are sources of inspiration. I essentialise to present a lively stance, and enhance it with patterns and textures.