MIGNON WOODFIELD
Ceramics
RECENT WORKS
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THE ARTWORKS
Mignon Woodfield lives and works in Oxford.
METHOD
Mignon's ceramics are slab-built using Potclays LT25 white earthenware clay which is dried out and stained, usually 'with 10 per cent colour, and sometimes a concoction of colours - especially greens.' A slab is rolled out, and strips are rolled into it creating a chaotic back-ground of colour 'as in a flowerbed'. Now the artwork is assembled.
When hardened, shapes can be carved out. Next, the spaces are filled with clay and left to dry very slowly to leather hard. Finally the surface is scraped clear with a metal kidney and smoothed over with wire-wool. Handles for the jugs are from coloured coils.
- extract from 'Colour in Clay' by Jane Waller
FIRING
The dried artworks are bisque to 1,000 degrees centigrade - and still the decoration continues, because the artist draws and paints on the surface with underglaze colours and ceramic pencils. The interior is treated with a clear commercial glaze so that the artworks can be used, while the outer surface is treated with a Dora Billington matt glaze.
Mignon's Cromartie Kiln is at her workshop in Elsfield, Oxford.
THE ARTIST
I am a selected member of The Society of Designer Craftsmen, and have served on the Associates committee of the Craftsman Potters Association.
Work experience has included:
Senior Technician Art Dept. Institute of Education London University.
Part-time teaching at Maidstone College of Art & Medway College of Design.
Full time teaching in the Art Schools Harrow School.
More recent shows have included The Circle Gallery Glasgow, Rabley Drawing Centre Marlborough, The Mall Galleries London,and at the McCormack & Jamieson Architectural Practice Spitalfields London.
My jugs and bowls are inspired by the ornament found in nature, and are made to be used. A detailed description of my working methods can be found in Jane Waller’s book “Colour In Clay”.