The Potter
My first encounter with clay was at West Oxfordshire Technical College in the 1980’s where I threw my first pot, learned the basics of centring and forming the clay on a potters wheel, and like most beginners finding that I did a mean  example of the ‘unique ash tray’!!!!. Hand building was also encouraged in the form of slab building and coiling and I was surprised to find how versatile a medium clay was.
Examples of my college work along with current pieces can be seen in my workshop today.
My return to this compulsive art form 19 years later, inspired me to give up ‘the day job’ and to set up my own business in 2005, when I launched Penny Varley Ceramics and since then the business has continued to grow.
My work consists of highly glazed pieces along side those of the more subtle tones of a matt finish demonstrating the versatility of my work.
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Working from my studio in the garden I predominantly work in a white earthenware clay and each piece is fired twice to a temperature of 1060 degrees. My larger work gains inspiration from organic forms of the sea and wood whilst my domestic ware is both practical and a pleasure to use everyday.
Being keen to encourage others in the versatility and pleasure in working withclay I now run small adult workshops in handbuilding, and can offer 1-1 tuition for those wishing to learn how to throw on the potterpotter’s wheel. Details in the website.
I am currently exhibit my work at ‘Knot just wood’ Yew Tree Craft Centre Wootton Wawen, Nr Stratford, am a regular participant in Oxfordshire Arts weeks, and support local and county events. My work has also been exported to France and Australia.
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Since the launch of Penny Varley Ceramics in 2005 I have taken part in the following:-
Oxfordshire Arts Weeks
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Banbury Visual Arts Christmas Exhibition
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Cotswold Art Exhibition
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Wychwood Forest Fair
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Christmas Gift Fair for Shipston Home Nursing
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Banbury Canal Day
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Open Studio at Tysoe over 2 weekends
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On going exhibition at Lapstone’s Nr Chipping Campden
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Exhibition at the Straight Banana Gallery, Shipston on Stour
Organised and ran 4 successful ‘Pottery without a wheel’ worshops.xhibited and sold at the 'Where I fell in love' gallery.
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