I am a potter based in Devon, and I make ‘modern traditional’ pottery with local Devon clay. I dig much of my clay from fields near my studio -  a labour intensive activity as each batch of clay needs to be washed, screened and tested before being used. I like the idea that when people buy my pots they’re getting a little piece of Devon: its land, history and character. I throw on a traditional wooden kick wheel, a process that is like a meditation to me. My whole body has to work in concert, my hands and feet changing speed and rythm as I move the clay upwards; I love the the quiet swoosh click swoosh of the flywheel as I gently kick. Devon clays vary in colour, and I decorate my pots by sliptrailing squiggles and dots, birds and animals based on traditional designs. I use a home-made tool to pipe the liquid clay onto the pot (rather like icing decoration on a cake): speedy execution is required and there is little opportunity to correct errors, giving the work the vitality characteristic of slipware. Although I repeat my designs, each piece is unique as the slip never comes out the same way twice. Finally the addition of a ‘Honey’ glaze creates warm shades of brown - a wonderful backdrop for all kinds of food from salads to pasta to blackberry crumble. Fired to a high temperature in an electric kiln all my pots are food-safe and can be used in the oven, dishwasher and microwave.