Today I’d like to introduce you to the first ceramics collection from talented Wiltshire-based photographer and now full-time potter Tracy Dixon.
Tracy’s quiet, minimalist aesthetic is simply beautiful, and her pieces include everything from flat bud vases to stunning organically shaped bowls. Perhaps surprisingly given her clear flair for the craft, her move into ceramics has been a relatively recent one – in fact she first experimented with pottery just a couple of years ago, when her husband bought her throwing lessons as a birthday present. She was instantly hooked and applied for an internship at renowned Oxford studio Illyria Pottery, before turning her attention to creating her own range.
I’ve been enjoying following Tracy’s journey on Instagram as she’s developed her skills and refined her style, so I caught up with her to learn more about her work and where she finds her inspiration…
What made you fall in love with ceramics?
“I love how working with clay has forced me to slow down. It takes time. I never realised I had so much patience! Plus I love how you can make something beautiful out of such a simple material. Most of my work is functional – for people to enjoy, eat out of or put flowers in. Ceramics are part of our everyday life.”
How did you learn your craft?
“I was fortunate enough to get an internship working for Katie Coston at Illyria Pottery in Oxford. It was the best thing I ever did. It was hard work and physically exhausting, but what I learnt there enabled me to set up my own studio in my garden. I really did love every second of it.”
Have there been many highs and lows along the way?
“The highs have included moving from stoneware to porcelain, and then finding my own style and seeing the whole range come together. It was really important to me to create a cohesive collection that tells a story.
“The lows have definitely been the casualties of the kiln. There are pieces that I worked really hard on, like a large hand-carved vase, which never made it out of the kiln in one piece. Those times are pretty tough.”
How would you describe your style?
“Minimal, honest and functional.”
Where do you find inspiration?
“I’m drawn to beautiful shapes, textures and contrasting colours. I’m always thinking about how I can transfer them into clay.”
What’s your favourite piece?
“Probably my hand-built bowl. It’s the most difficult piece to make with all the folds, and no two will ever be the same. Having said that, I also love my simple candleholders – the epitome of minimal design.”
Finally, what’s next?
“I’m still very much a beginner and I have a lot to learn. I’m looking forward to spending the summer in my studio, and after my first launch I would like to focus on some bigger pieces and more hand building.”
Thanks Tracy!
Visit Tracy’s website to see the full collection – prices range from £7 for a small candleholder to £50 for a hand-built bowl, and there’s a form to register for alerts when new pieces go on sale. You can also follow her on Instagram at @tracydixon.ceramics.
All photography by Tracy Dixon
Leave a Reply