Vicky Lindo Ceramics that got the cream

Vicky Lindo has been on my ‘posts to relist’ for quite sometime now.  Based down in Bideford in Devon, she used to work for a number of years in the Burton Art Gallery. Until, both influenced and fascinated by an exhibition of the R J Lloyd slip-ware collection, made in the middle ages by farmers and country folk, (more here), she decided to start up her own workshop and make her personal range of slip-ware. Below are a sample of the ceramics Vicky was inspired by… and I can see why !

Although it’s far more contemporary and with a slant towards the purr-fect feline, Vicky’s work certainly has a bit more colour and definitely makes me smile, her partner Bill Brookes is also her business partner and together they produce these beautiful ceramics.

The ideas often originate in a sketch or painting. It helps to determine where shapes and pattern will be, sometimes this will be altered slightly for the final piece. The hardened clay object to be decorated is then coated with a layer of different coloured slip (watered down clay) and once that’s dried, the design can be drawn and cut into (sometimes called Sgraffito). You have to be clever at thinking in monotone and good with shapes and pattern, it’s not as easy as you may think.

Finally after the second firing, the piece is finished

Sometimes Vicky hand decorates directly onto a pre-fired piece. Having cats around the home and studio must help when using your imagination to conjure up these whimsical pieces. Of course the cats help out too… when then can!

It’s great to capture the ‘aloofness’ of cats so well and I like the way the garden creeps up onto their coats sometimes too.

It’s not all about cats.

Some pieces are commissioned too.

More variation of themes and colours.

When she has a few minutes to spare (which I imagine these days doesn’t happen often), Vicky likes to relax and do some hand embroidery.

Fabulously quirky ideas.

But in the kingdom of the ceramic world… Vicky’s cat is still King of the jungle.. or at least her back garden ! Beautiful work Vicky, keep inspired and long may they prosper and continue to amuse us all.