I started Kettle Black Pottery in Freshwater eight years ago. I did my basic training at Tafe for two years in ceramics. I started with Arc Disability, holding pottery classes – I started Doomadgee Potters in the Cape… 3 years in total – and was featured in the ceramics magazine – a TED talk and a ton of radio interviews. I started a Goanna wave tile installation that had QR codes — the ceramic goannas start at Doomadgee airport and run into the small shire, all made by the locals. I had tons on stalls all over Cairns and have been lucky enough to send my pottery all over Australia with a few items shipped over seas. I am often asked to stock shops down south but I find freight expensive and time consuming, so I have said no. I don’t often take on commissions, I prefer just to make what I like, and if that gets sold which it normally does that’s the best way to work. My best studio days are often spent with my two pug dogs and a cat and my teenage kids coming and going-always with my favourite music on and watching a documentary or European film. Monday to Friday, I teach one on one NDIS clients who come in with their support worker-they always surprise me with their wonderful creations, and I enjoy my day as the time goes so quickly as well. I am never bored with what I have in my head that I’m still yet to try and make.
My work sometimes has been at the Cairns regional gallery, lucky they’ve sold. I’ve have been in a few shows around Cairns and I do enjoy having a market stall at Rusty’s. I had great success at the Port Douglas markets and TANKS , but I’m not a morning person and waking up at 4AM did not appeal to me. I’m very glad I had the foresight to set up an amazing two room studio. The hard work paid off – my studio has air conditioning funky furniture & Street safe. Add in kookaburras, birds, the sounds of trees rustling, my studio backs onto a park and it is often very very quiet. Its on the side of the hill with no real neighbours, so it’s my part of heaven. I often make things that are one of a kind and have a face. The face of my pots always looks dazed and confused, and I try not to make them too pretty, or tacky.
I prefer Pottery that has flaws. Looks like someone has made it with her hands and has been painted on in a messy style. My icon Potters would have to be Grayson Perry & Mario Ramesh. I often send my clients to the Potters club to start after parting from my wheel throwing classes on a Saturday. Everybody always wants to come back and back and I do recommend the Potters club as an amazing affordable way to start and get your feet into Pottery in Cairns. I get tons of calls each week to use my kiln, buy clay or teach pottery sorry I have to say no. Again suggesting they should join up at the Potters Club.
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