Charlotte Mellis uses hand building techniques to make constructions in clay. These relate to corrugated structures currently but  she is also interested in various architectural features which have seen happier times and are unsung, quirky or suffering from the ravages of time. Weathering and decomposition create colours and textures which can be expressed using earthenware clays, low fired to 1080c in an electric kiln. She uses moulds to get the corrugated surfaces, slips, oxides, and underglaze colours with the occasional splash of transparent glaze and has developed a method of working which is direct and instinctive. She also makes wheel thrown bowls and moulded Big Dishes

Charlotte Mellis attended Harrogate College of Art and Design, (now part of Harrogate Technical College) in 1981-1983 (Vocational Ceramics – Distinction). She was taught by tutors, Tim Proud, Dennis Farrell and Heather Foster. After travelling extensively (Overland to Australia, South America and Europe) and a variety of jobs, she worked with her aunt, the potter Ann Stokes, making thrown domestic ware. At college she developed an interest in hand building techniques which enabled her to express herself differently. However market forces dictated that she return to the wheel and she made thrown, coloured domestic ware for approximately 25 years. Now she have returned to hand building but still enjoy throwing bowls and making moulded Big Dishes. She gave up the working with clay for a few years when other parts of life took over and returned to the studio at Larach Mhor in June 08. She has exhibited widely in the UK and taught in school, college and from my own workshops. Public Collections include Poole Pottery Collectors Club, The Pinchen Collection in Stoke and Aberystwyth Art Centre.

Studio:

Larach Mhor,

Torloisk,

Isle of Mull.

PA74 6NH

01688500103

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www.charlottemellis.co.uk