We are fortunate to have living next to the cottage one of Cumbria's best ceramic artists - Steve Valentinewhen we were renovating the cottage we asked him to design sculptures for each room and patio of the cottage.

What Steve has to say about his work:

"I use a heavily grogged crank clay, especially for my garden sculptures. This type of clay has the rough, natural feel that I am looking for. I hand build all of my pieces by rolling a slab of clay and then building the shape that I want. Not one slab of clay I roll out is planned to become a particular object, my hands find the form and then manipulate it into the thing it is going to become. To get the surface design I use naturally found tools such as stones, shells and twigs found on local fells and beaches. I then use my fingers to add a unique fingerprint to my pieces. The use of natural objects to make the surface design adds a dimension not evident in other ceramics. It adds a unique dimension once the clay sheet is formed and is always a one-off.

I choose not to produce thrown forms but if I did, I would end up altering them to make them appear dishevelled and aged! You will see that the results of my work is an edgy, raw, robust form combined with rustic natural elements".

About the Pottery Course

The Holiday Cottage is next door to Steve's studio so working together we have produced a residential ceramic pottery cousre with guests staying in our cottage and working over the courtyard in the studio. The course is designed to enable participents to produce a medium sized sculpture such as one of Steve's signature boats or a vase over a period of 3 days stay at the cottage. The days are flexable depending mainly on the design chosen but will consit of three working days over the week with time between for the pottery to dry/fire aiming to leave with a completed sculpture.

Course Details

The course is designed to be completed over a minimum of three 1/2 days with you taking away your sculpture at the end. Of course if you are staying longer then Steve can fit in with your timetable.

DAY 1

Introduction, design selection & sculpting

DAY 2

Sculpting and finishing

DAY 3

Final preparations for firing & firing

Steve will fire you sculpture and ensure it is ready for you to take home with you at the end of your stay.

There will be a maxiumum of 4 students.

PRICE: £90 per person for the course plus £300 for the cottage for 3 days mid week or £375 including a weekend (4 nights accommodation).

This is a general courses designed to meet the needs of most guests however if you would like Steve to arrange something different for your stay then please feel free to contact us or Steve to discuss what he can offer.