Lesley Anne Greene Ceramics
About Lesley
After completing an art foundation course in Scarborough I studied for a degree in 3D design / ceramics at Cardiff Art College and on completion of a postgraduate course in education I taught art in a state secondary school in Crewe, Cheshire.
When my youngest child began school I began to look for an opportunity to use and develop my creative skills which would fit around the demands of family life. I applied for and was awarded a small enterprise allowance by Cheshire County Council which included helpful business advice and I was able to set up my first ceramics workshop.
Initially I began showing and selling my work to the public at a variety of local fairs and venues. Now I have gained recognition and success in exhibiting and selling through public and private art galleries as well as ceramic festivals and trade shows and I am always looking for opportunities to reach out to a fresh audience.
Click for Curriculum Vitae
Inspiration
My subjects are mostly inspired by encounters with the animal kingdom at home and abroad and I am particularly interested in how animals and human interaction are described in folk songs and myth.
It is important to me to instil character and humour in my work and I have created a unique collection of both domestic and exotic creatures since commencing my business in 1994. Every piece is a one off with its own persona demonstrating an imaginative interpretation of a particular experience or story. While some themes have been revisited and refined I continue to research and explore new topics.
I like visiting and looking at artefacts in museums and on ancient sites and some forms for earlier works were inspired by animals represented in cultural objects and in particular the tomb statuary of ancient Egypt. I enjoy walking in the countryside and along the coast near to my East Yorkshire home and more recent works have been inspired by observations and reactions to the natural world, flora and fauna around me.
I am currently engaged in making and experimenting with stylised tree forms each with a story to tell.
Techniques
All works are individually hand built and modelled. Using a grogged clay body for texture and strength I employ techniques including slabbing, coiling and pinching and I model detail with simple tools and my fingers.
The surface of the finished object is sponged to expose the texture of the clay body and other effects are achieved by using impressing, scoring and sprigging methods. Colour is applied using body stains and coloured slips before biscuit firing to 1000 degrees celsius in an electric kiln. Then, prior to a higher firing of around 1185 degrees celsius, the surface texture is enhanced with a wash of metallic oxides which is sponged back and more colour is added using brush on stains and glazes. A shiny transparent glaze is applied in the areas that are to be given a gold or platinum lustre finish which involves a third firing to 750 degrees celsius.
Ornaments using textile tassels, jewellery wire and beads are assembled and attached as a contrast to the ceramic textiles on some pieces adding a sense of movement.
