BEHIND THE WHEEL

GET TO KNOW ME, MY CREATIVE PROCESS & THE JOURNEY THAT LED ME TO CERAMICS

A photo of Potter Mel Armsby working on a sea themed pot

HI, I'M MEL.

I have always been deeply passionate about animals. Throughout my life, they have played a significant role, and I find it difficult to imagine a world without the joy and companionship they bring. My respect for all forms of life strongly influences my values, and a commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation is a key motivation behind much of the work I create.

I live in a small village in North Yorkshire, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with the Yorkshire Dales to one side and the North York Moors to the other. This landscape provides not only a peaceful setting but also a continuous source of inspiration.

I enjoy walking with my two Cocker Spaniels, Oscar and Freddie, who are constant companions on my journeys through nature. We frequently visit the North Yorkshire coast—an environment they delight in exploring. These outings also present an opportunity for me to collect seaweed and shells, which I incorporate into my ceramic glazes, connecting my artistic process directly with the natural world around me.

Mel Armsby working on a ceramic piece in her studio in Yorkshire.

HI, I'M MEL.

I am a big animal lover. Growing up I have always had animals in my life and couldn’t imagine a world in which I didn’t have the joy of them in my life.

All life is important to me and working towards a more sustainable world to protect and conserve what we have is a motivation behind some of the work I create.

I live a small village in North Yorkshire surrounded by wonderful countryside. With the Dales on one side and the North York moors on the other.

I love walking with my two Cocker Spaniel’s, Oscar and Freddie. We often go to the North Yorkshire Coast, which they love. It is also a great opportunity for me to looks for seaweed and shells, to be used in my glazes.

"I HOPE TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO FORM THEIR OWN CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR ACTIONS AND THE IMPACT WE ALL HAVE ON OUR MARINE WORLD."

MY PROCESS

I work mainly in stoneware, using porcelain to depict the more fragile marine life. I spend many hours perfecting pieces, in addition to a lot of time considering making options beforehand. Once a form is complete, I use thin layers of slip, organic material and glazes to build on the sculptural piece adding interest and realism to the studied form.

My intent is that the result captures the myriads of greens observed in seaweed and the layering of blues depicting sunlit coastal turquoise waters through to the deep indigo of the ocean. As the object takes on the impression of life through the layers of material and glazes used.

I want to allow visualisation of the movement of the ocean currents through the layering of glazes and the marine life portrayed.

Inside Mel Armsby's Pottery Studio in North Yorkshire

Pottery Work in Progress by Mel Armsby Ceramics

Marine Life Ceramic Artwork handmade by Mel Armsby Ceramics

Mel Armsby's Ceramicist's Studio in North Yorkshire

MY JOURNEY WITH CERAMICS

My first introduction to the world of clay was in school, where I was fortunate enough to be taught ceramics by a wonderful teacher. But, as with many people, when I left school, this creative outlet fell by the wayside as regular life took over.

After a long career in accounts, and design experience in the family business using CAD, I found myself reconnecting with ceramics through a local potter, Anna Whitehouse. Combining my love of nature and painting, my style quickly began to evolve.

From early experimentation I developed a deep passion for using these skills to recreate my experiences of coral reefs I had visited and loved on holiday, embellishing my pots with intricate designs rather than focusing on the simplicity of the form alone.

Anna also introduced me to other potters, such as Vanessa Hogg, which further solidified my desire to create a point of interest in each piece—never leaving them “bare.”

In recent years, I learned that potter Joseph Ludkin, based in London, had moved to a neighbouring village. After completing some wheel-throwing courses with Joe, I was fortunate enough to join his evening "clay clubs" alongside other potters in his studio.

While I was aware of Wedgwood, I hadn't been particularly drawn to it until I discovered Hitomi Hosono, an artist-in-residence in 2017. Her use of sprig moulds opened up an exciting new design avenue for me to explore, and the delicate nature of her botanical pieces inspired me to recreate, in fine detail, the marine life I had observed.

Red Rose handmade by Mel Armsby Ceramics

GET IN TOUCH

If you'd like to find out more about my work, see when I'm next exhibiting my pieces, or enquire about a commissioned piece, send me a message.

GET IN TOUCH

Colourful Sea Horse and Coral Reef handmade by Mel Armsby Ceramics

Colourful Marine Life handmade by Mel Armsby Ceramics

BEHIND THE WHEEL

GET TO KNOW ME, MY CREATIVE PROCESS & THE JOURNEY THAT LED ME TO CERAMICS

HI, I'M MEL.

HI, I'M MEL.

"I HOPE TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO FORM THEIR OWN CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR ACTIONS AND THE IMPACT WE ALL HAVE ON OUR MARINE WORLD."

MY PROCESS

MY JOURNEY WITH CERAMICS

My first introduction to the world of clay was in school, where I was fortunate enough to be taught ceramics by a wonderful teacher. But, as with many people, when I left school, this creative outlet fell by the wayside as regular life took over. ​

​ After a long career in accounts, and design experience in the family business using CAD, I found myself reconnecting with ceramics through a local potter, Anna Whitehouse. Combining my love of nature and painting, my style quickly began to evolve. ​

​​From early experimentation I developed a deep passion for using these skills to recreate my experiences of coral reefs I had visited and loved on holiday, embellishing my pots with intricate designs rather than focusing on the simplicity of the form alone.

​Anna also introduced me to other potters, such as Vanessa Hogg, which further solidified my desire to create a point of interest in each piece—never leaving them “bare.” ​

In recent years, I learned that potter Joseph Ludkin, based in London, had moved to a neighbouring village. After completing some wheel-throwing courses with Joe, I was fortunate enough to join his evening "clay clubs" alongside other potters in his studio.

GET IN TOUCH

If you'd like to find out more about my work, see when I'm next exhibiting my pieces, or enquire about a commissioned piece, send me a message.

My first introduction to the world of clay was in school, where I was fortunate enough to be taught ceramics by a wonderful teacher. But, as with many people, when I left school, this creative outlet fell by the wayside as regular life took over.

After a long career in accounts, and design experience in the family business using CAD, I found myself reconnecting with ceramics through a local potter, Anna Whitehouse. Combining my love of nature and painting, my style quickly began to evolve.

From early experimentation I developed a deep passion for using these skills to recreate my experiences of coral reefs I had visited and loved on holiday, embellishing my pots with intricate designs rather than focusing on the simplicity of the form alone.

Anna also introduced me to other potters, such as Vanessa Hogg, which further solidified my desire to create a point of interest in each piece—never leaving them “bare.”