Melting rocks and sediments started in the late seventies - I was always interested in using material raw and unrefined from the land - as the land and mountains around me are the basic materials in a raw state for stoneware ceramic glazes.
I started grinding up rocks - it took forever - I asked an expert what would happen if I put a lump of rock in the firing - you can’t do that was I was told - so I did - first a small bit - then more and then bigger - until I fired a whole boulder I could hardly fit into the kiln.
Since then I have been firing rocks, sediment, bones, earth, glass and metal - I will try anything - bringing back many different types of rock from hiking in the hills around Scotland.
Gaining a wide knowledge of my materials in the process - I now have a lot more knowledge what might happen in the firing.
I have developed my Glazes over 60 years - I am forever experimenting with new ideas. My work is fired in a Gas kiln or wood fired kiln to 1320 centigrade - a pot or sculpture is nothing until it has been through the fire.
