About myself:

My background has always involved being creative, and I most recently ran a successful picture framing business in Bristol for more than 16 years. I have also been painting miniatures since the late 1980’s, being a member of both the Hilliard Society and the Limners, and exhibiting several paintings at the Royal Society of Miniaturists exhibition, both in 1991 when I first started, and in 2007 when I took up painting again after over 15 years “off” whilst running my business.

However, the picture framing took up more and more of my time, and in 2001 I decided to sell the business and pursue a more “hands on” creative career, and one in which I could utilise the painting skills I already had. The decision to pursue the ceramic restoration direction was influenced by a lifetime love and appreciation of antique ceramics, and in 2004 I was accepted on a full time residential course for the “Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics” at West Dean College, where I gained my qualification in 2005. I am also a member of ICON - The Institute for Conservation and teach short courses in Ceramic Restoration at Earnley Concourse, near Chichester www.earnley.co.uk, The Hill at Abergavenny www.thehillabergavenny.co.uk and the Wye Valley Arts Centre www.wyearts.co.uk

Whilst at West Dean I worked on items from both the V&A and the British Museum, as well as from several well known London Dealers, which has given me invaluable experience in how to deal with a huge range of ceramics with the appropriate techniques, be it involving archeological/museum restoration or invisible restoration, depending on the client.

About my studio:

I work alone in my studio based near my home, which is fully equipped with the same modern tools of the trade that any large restoration studio would possess, such as a precision steam cleaner, microscope, digital camera and measuring scales, and fine precision hand tools. In addition, I have collected over 250 hard back reference books on antique ceramics so that I can identify and compile a detailed historical background to your possessions, should you require it.

About how I work:

All methods and techniques to be used on an object will be discussed prior to any work being undertaken, setting out in detail any problems or limitations which may exist in terms of realistic expectations.

With an appreciation of the history behind each object I restore, I believe it is right in certain circumstances to retain such skilled restoration techniques as metal rivets where this is appropriate. However, where these have been inserted unskillfully, and are detrimentally affecting both the body of the object and its attractiveness, then of course I will remove them in order to halt any further deterioration and improve its’ outcome.

It is all a fine balance, and I will always be using reversible restoration methods so that an object can benefit from any future improvements in both techniques and materials in the years to come.

** studio photos courtesy of Elizabeth Owen lizowen_2000uk@yahoo.co.uk**