Seed Heads in Clay with Louise Mortlock
Applied Crafts

Seed Heads in Clay with Louise Mortlock

From: £85.00

Description of the day workshop

Date: Sunday 28th June 2026

Time: 10am – 4pm

Aimed at those completely new to working with clay our workshop will teach you the basics of creating natural forms. You’ll learn different methods of preparing the clay and then sculpt and form the clay to create a variety of seed, petal and flower forms.

No prior experience is necessary; you will be guided and supported throughout the process.

Clay can be messy, so bring old clothes – a large loose fitting shirt worn as an overall works well.

Glazing and firing will cost £10 extra which is payable to the tutor on the day.

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Description

Description of the day workshop

Find personal expression and style in this one-day workshop, where you’ll learn to interpret flowers and seeds, through the medium of clay. Guided by expert instruction, you’ll develop easy-to-follow form building techniques, develop dynamic sculpting, and use subtle and playful glazes to bring your ceramic works to life.

Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this workshop will help you build essential skills, boost your confidence, and inspire you to create forms and shapes to adorn your own living spaces

What to Expect:

The day will be structured into a series of fun and engaging exercises designed to help you build skills step by step:

Working with clay

  • Step-by-Step handling of clay – Follow a guided step-by-step demonstration to show how different clays perform, and react to moulding and sculpting.
  • Practice & Personal Exploration – Using your newly learned skills, you’ll have time to make your own ceramic forms, with feedback and guidance throughout.
  • Using your created forms, you’ll apply glazes to create vibrant playful colours.
  • Time to Reflect & Connect – Enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment, with time to discuss your work with fellow participants and appreciate everyone’s unique artistic approach. 
  • The completed pieces of work will be taken away for drying and kiln firing.  They will then be returned to Shambellie House for collection one week after the course.

 What to bring with you: Clay can be messy, so bring old clothes – a large loose fitting shirt worn as an overall works well.

 

Your Tutor

Your Tutor

Louise Matlock

Louise graduated from Reading University with a degree in Botany and Zoology.  Her exploration of the ceramic arts began 20 years ago. This year, exhibiting her work at a “yellow-book” garden, she made a variety of seed-head sculptures to complement the surroundings.

Louise’s work has always been inspired from the interpretation of the fascinating complex forms and textures found within nature.  The use of clay and colour to re-interpret nature draws the viewer into an ambiguous narrative, unsure of place the work holds within a surrounding natural environment. Whilst the finished sculpted pieces are often apparently subdued, many are designed to adorn and enhance the outside living space, where their colour, surface and character provide an eye-catching and beguiling addition to the outdoor environment.

In 2023 and 2024 Louise exhibited a range of her work at The Wetland and Wildlife Trust at Caerlaverock, Dumfries.  Her works included a mixture of animal sculptures, and more conventional thrown pottery, which allowed a more exuberant expression of colour.

Visual inspiration comes from a variety of sources, including form, patterns and texture found in the natural world.  By extracting the essential elements from these sources Louise seeks to create forms that have an outwardly recognizable but equally imposter presence, offering a sense of surprise, delight and wonder to those who engage with them.

Do you have any access needs?

If you have answered yes and would like to discuss your requirements then please get in touch.

Have you any dietary requirements?

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