Alan Ball

I trained and worked as a design engineer for many years. Began making pots in 1965. Taught pottery at Highfield Comprehensive School, Gateshead, after training at Neville's Cross College, Durham. Had a studio and worked and taught as a fulltime self employed potter at Washington Art Centre for 20yrs. Was a founder member of Northern Potters Asso.. Now work from home studio making smoke decorated sculpture and one off pots and bowls. exhibited extensively over the years, e.g. Northern Potters, Chelsea Craft Fair, Washington Arts Centre, Newcastle Arts Centre, DLI Museum,Durham. Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead. Potfest in the Pens. 

In the 70's to the 90's I was making oxidised stoneware fired to 1260 degrees centigrade. The glazes were matt white and decorated by inlaying oxides into incised designs. Although I still biscuit fire to 1000c I have abandoned the glazes for a low fired smoked (carbonised) decoration. The smoking is a very hands on technique, done in an open tin or brick stucture. I hand feed the flames with newspaper to control the density of the blackening effect. The finished pots are washed clean and thoroughly dried then given a polish with a thin coat of beeswax.