Jill is a ceramic artist and painter.
year of birth: 1943
birthplace: England
current residence: Devon and London, England
started as soon as she could pick up a pencil
Where did it all begin?
As a painter, at Chelsea Art School in London. Then, as a potter, studying ceramics in Japan from 1973 to 1977.
What is the worst advice you’ve heard?
“Isn’t it time you considered retiring?”
Most beautiful moment during the creative process?
Being inspired by a new idea and realising it.
What doesn’t inspire you?
Warmongering, cruel politicians and those who destroy the natural world.
What are you proud of?
I’m proud of achieving 46 solo exhibitions of my ceramics in Japan over the years.
Who would you like to meet?
Sir David Attenborough and Picasso.
Favourite material?
Clay.
What would you have done, if not this?
I would have been an artist, naturalist, writer, gardener, carer for birds, traveller…
What was your biggest moment of doubt?
At the beginning of studying pottery in Japan, I showed some of my early clay sculptures to a ceramic expert, he could not even bear to look at them. I started from zero at that point.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband. Countless wonderful friends and supporters. My parents and aunts when they were alive.
Favourite image?
This image of plant life near the Arenal volcano, Costa Rica. Heat, colour, exotic foliage and humming birds, it looked like heaven and is my screensaver photo.
What is to you, the most beautiful sentence?
“Furuike ya
Kawazu tobikomu
Mizu no oto”
“An old pond
a frog jumps
the sound of water”
A haiku by Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, with Zen feeling of old Japan, so calm.
What do you still want to do?
Travel to wild places that inspire my ceramics and my life.
I also enjoy making ceramics to combine with architecture.
Where do you work?
In my studio in the Devon countryside surrounded by nature.
Want to see more of Jill’s work?
