Deirdre McGuirk is a ceramic artist based in Hertfordshire.
I use porcelain to make wheel thrown and hand-built ceramics; I love the silky smoothness of porcelain and the white canvas it provides for decoration. Once glazed it has a luminosity that seems to be unique to this clay. It is a challenging material to throw, but I enjoy the challenge and I think the results are worth it.
Forms have proportion and simplicity, but have a function. I enjoy food and cooking and want my ceramics to be useful in everyday life, enhancing the food they hold or flowers that they display rather than dominating. I make all my own glazes from raw materials, adding oxides in different concentrations to allow variations of similar colour. I prefer muted colours, particularly greens, blues and greys with subtle variations. I use both glossy and matt glazes, which I sometimes layer and overlap to create depth of colour and variation of texture on the same piece.
Commissioning a piece of work is really exciting – it is a chance to have something made especially for you and an opportunity to really engage in the creative process.
Perhaps you need accessories to go with a particular outfit or a piece of furniture to fit a specific space in your home. We can work with you to design something truly unique. You’ll be able to discuss your ideas, likes and dislikes with the Maker and together create a piece of craft, handmade for you.
This is just a first step, so don't worry, there’ll be plenty of chances to discuss details before finalising a commission.
