Heather Armstrong

Orange Route

I love to make things. Since retiring from my profession as a hospital doctor I have developed practice in ceramics, setting up a studio at my home in rural Nithsdale. Being at home allows me to manage my creative time while remaining close to what inspires me, the natural world. Although my garden is no work of art, it has become an invaluable resource for my making.

Images of Studio

Click image to enlarge

About My Practice

I hand-build with a variety of different clays, applying techniques of rolling, impressing, pinching and coiling. Starting new work sometimes involves preparatory sketches but more often it is a spontaneous response to the clay. Form and texture will emerge as I build. Each stage is intuitive and considered, with the final refining stage giving great satisfaction.
When ready, work is bisque fired in an electric kiln. The smoke-firing process then takes place with a fire being set in a galvanised metal bin using a variety of organic combustible materials.
My work is always naked of glaze but receives an enhancing application of beeswax polish which defines the colour and texture of the smoke-fired ceramic surface.

Tools & Materials

I use a variety of shaped modelling tools, often improvised, made of metal, plastic and wood. I have a slab roller which is a labour- ( and wrist! ) saving essential. My kiln is electric, running off domestic power which includes a significant proportion of solar generated energy.
My clay supplies are mostly commercial preparations although I do experiment with wild clays if I come across them in the environment. Smoke-firing combustibles include wood shavings donated by wood workers, seaweed collected from the Solway shore, dried leaves and brash from the garden and some kitchen waste such as banana skins and nutshells. I also add some chemical salts and oxides which contribute to interesting colour effects.