Inspired by People
Successful commissioned pieces will draw inspiration from the person doing the commissioning as well as from my own musings. I have been so very fortunate to work with collectors who instinctively balance knowing what they want with a desire for their commission to be of, and by, me. I use sketches as a catalyst for conversations, sometimes taking an idea that has already been expressed and reinterpreting it, sometimes exploring ideas that are entirely new. Invariably it is a wonderful journey!
Caroline Cole Ceramics
London, England
Commissioned Twist Vase, Photo: ccceramicsWhen a collector takes you to their house, points at a spot and says "make me something to go here" then you know the project will have wings. Especially when "here" is a sideboard in a room of mid-century furniture, with natural light from both sides, looking out over quiet London gardens. The Twist shape was chosen and I was given free rein to draw inspiration from the space when it came to colours and pattern. This pot is about 190mm tall.
Commissioned Scarab, Photo: ccceramicsThis piece was commissioned as a birthday gift and is one of only a few Scarabs that have been made with terracotta clay. The deep colour of the clay was left exposed with only a matt clear glaze to protect it, contrasting with the graded blues colour that almost glow alongside. This pot is about 170mm tall.
Commissioned Scarab, Photo: ccceramicsFollowing my solo show at the OXO Gallery, I was commissioned to make this Scarab for a collector's new house. The colour ways and the basic pattern were discussed around a cup of coffee but I think the intricacy of the final piece has surprised us all - it really resonates! This pot is about 170mm tall.
Commissioned Discoid, Photo: ccceramicsThis collector wanted something bright and three-dimensional with Po-Mo overtones. The Discoid shape was chosen as it offered a large canvas for a dramatic trompe l'oeil, cubic pattern. Several colour ways were explored with an almost garish orange, yellow and green ending up the winner. This pot is about 240mm tall.
Commissioned Totem Pole, Photo: ccceramicsThis collector came armed with photos of Sicily, wanting something to remind her of walking in the Reserve Orientate dello Zingaro. She loved the Totem Pole shape and together we experimented and selected the colours for the commissioned piece. This pot is about 365mm tall.
Commissioned Scarab, Photo: ccceramicsCommissioned as a birthday gift for someone who "loves blue", the pattern on this Scarab is based on a rigorous gridded framework that flexes with the shape of the pot. The resulting image is strangely fluid, evoking waves or snowy mountain peaks. This pot is about 170mm tall.