Sally Macdonell at Potfest 2026

Sally Macdonell at Potfest 2026.

I love Sally Mcdonell's figures. Each one is unique and has its own personality.

Her female figures are handbuilt using slabs of thick clay and coils, squeezed and pinched together. She uses oxides to accentuate the joins. Then, coloured slips are built up in multiple layers to create surfaces with depth. 

'I have developed a finish using underglaze colours mixed with engobe and fired to 1186o C.

I'm drawn to the colours found in Greek terracottas from the 2nd century BC and Medieval Netherlandic wood carving. Surfaces that show experience, having been eroded and fragmented. When I apply the glaze it's very much like painting. It's a very spontaneous process which fits with the way I hand build'.

Potfest 2026 - 2

Potfest 2026 - 2,  at Compton Verney.

As I said in my previous post, I have posted only a small fraction of what was on display. A lot of new ceramicists this time, but also, a lot of my favourites were not present. Overall, not as good as other years.

Sharon Griffin:

Melanie Keevil:

I've not come across her work before, I really liked her tiles.

looking closer

Deborah Harwood:

Vicky Hageman:

Cosmin Ciofirdel:

Amanda Coldridge:

Mushrooms for the garden - I quite liked the idea

Victoria Meadows:

Leonie Rutter:

Georgie Gardiner:

Jasmina Ajzenkol:

Tony Laverick:

I quite liked Laverick's new style of ceramics.

 And then it was time to leave...