In 2003 I became a full-time ceramist and joined a number of pottery and arts and crafts organizations: Dacorum and Chilterns Potters Guild, West Forest Potters, London Potters, Hillingdon Artists, Eclectic Artists, Craft Potters Association, Society of Designer Craftsmen and The Oriental Ceramics Society for continuing education and awarenes. Demonstrations by numerous professional potters at events run by West Forest Potters and the Dacorum and Chilterns Potters Guild provides valuable practical advice.
My work is glaze fired to cone 12 (about 1300C) in a propane fuelled kiln. The placement of pots in the combustion gas flow and the patterns of temperature and oxygen level within the kiln cause variations in the glazed surface so they are monitored. The glaze surface is also affected by the composition of the clay, the glaze thickness and the extent to which elements in the clay diffuse into the glaze layer. Understanding and remembering what has affected the final appearance of a pot is aided by number-stamping the base of each pot, photographing it and maintaining a database detailing the glaze, clay, the firing conditions and the position of each pot in the kiln. The pots are also photographed in the kiln, shelf by shelf, to investigate the effects of the gas flow within the kiln. Linking the photographs with the database over a number of firings uncovers trends that are sources of ideas for subsequent firings. The database is critcial in digesting the results from several thousand pots made with 15 clays, around 50 glazes and fired in different kiln locations. This approach is an essential part of my creative process. I sell via craft markets, retail outlets, online and at joint shows with other potters and artists
Talks
West Forest Potters 2012, Bucks Potters 2014, Dacorum and Chilterns Potters Guild 2015. Lecture at The Art of Yixing wares Stevenson Lecture Theatre, British Museum April 2016
Articles
London Potters Newsletter article – Exhibiting Ceramics
London Potters Newsletter article – Profile Leslie Parrott
London Potters Newsletter article – Slab-built Ceramics: Why and how
Captions for ceramic images:
8778 Turquoise and red porcelain dish
8775 Blue porcelain dish
8766 Red porcelain bowl
8763 Red porcelain bowl with blue rim
8753 Blue green stoneware bowl
8748 Blue porcelain mug
8717 Red porcelain butter dish
Contact details
Email: leslieparrott@btinternet.com Website: www.lesparrott.me.uk Tel: 01895 255 027
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing work or would like a quotation for other work.