Dianne Cross

Website: http://www.diannecrossceramics.co.uk
Email: dianne46cross@gmail.com
Instagram: @diannecrossceramics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dianne-Cross-Ceramics-100022757632652/

Clay and me – an ongoing passion! I studied ceramics as a mature student after living in Canada for a number of years. Indeed, I first went to pottery evening classes to relax from the pressures of my work! And was hooked, returned to the UK and went to art college. I then moved to Yorkshire I designed and made reduction fired domestic stoneware for over 25 years, building several gas kilns during this time. Work was sold at galleries, exhibitions and events throughout the UK and Europe. I have also taught ceramics at various levels. I now make handbuilt ceramics built using stoneware clay and my own glazes in my garden studio overlooking the Aire valley in West Yorkshire The Blue Shore work evokes a feeling of the sea shore and coastline. Individually constructed boxes, vases, wall pieces and vessel forms feature washes of cobalt and copper with occasional ‘pops’ of yellow over a matt white glaze. These imagined seascapes/marine landscapes encourage the viewer to see their own ‘picture’ rather than illustrating a specific view. Some are stormy, others quiet and calm or sunny and bright. Recent ovoid sculptures, using black and textured clay, reflect my interest in the interplay between strong forms, textured surfaces and delicate gold leaf.