I have lived for most of my adult life on the shores of Lough Neagh.

Though I spent all of my professional career in teaching, several years ago a Foundation Course in Art and Design in the South Eastern Regional College, Lisburn provided me with an opportunity to further my life-long interest in ceramic art. ‘Making’ quickly became my passion and I retired from teaching in 2013 to follow my dream of becoming a potter.

I enrolled in the Ceramics Department in Belfast Metropolitan College and was fortunate to begin my journey in ceramics under the guidance and instruction of master-potter Rory Shearer. Since then I have been essentially self taught working each day in my studio. 

My studio is a converted byre at my home near Aldergrove Co Antrim.   Here you can see my pottery being made by hand, thrown on the wheel and fired in my electric kilns. I concentrate on creating functional stoneware – bowls, cups, pitchers, mugs, plates – that reflect, within the glazes I use, the colours and textures of the natural environment of my Lough Neagh surroundings. 

I currently have work for sale in Midtown Makers, Ballymena and Stonerow Artisans in Coleraine. I sell my work online via my website www.chpottery.co.uk and via commission. I participate regularly in Craft Fairs in Ballycastle as a member of Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisans.