Jan Thompson-Taylor

I wanted to be an artist, indeed was an artist, for as long as I can remember. I won a National Painting competition aged 12 but didn’t touch Clay till my last years in school. I spent 4 years in Cardiff College of Art, still a centre of excellence, studying Painting and Ceramics with the wonderful Frank Vining. Life drawing was an essential part of the course and I still work with the Dolphin Studio, in Poole, a group of artists who draw from ‘life ’every week. After Art College I spent a year at London University Institute of Education whose Ceramics Dept was then headed by William Newland.  As a student I spent a summer in Denmark which introduced me to Scandinavian Design, a new concept in the ‘60s. Another summer I travelled around Greece and explored the Mycenian and Cretan  civilisations. At that time you could handle the Pithoi in Knossos and I still remember the thrill of putting my thumb  onto the thumbprints of Potters from 4,000  years ago. After leaving University I divided my time between teaching Art in schools and colleges, doing my own work and running small courses in my workshop. And bringing up 2 children! I mostly work in Stoneware but was introduced to Raku when I spent a sabbatical term in Philadelphia, USA. When I was there I spent time at The Clay Studio, now well known but  then in its infancy. I  was really hooked on Raku and bought a Raku kiln on my return. After moving to Poole  in 1996 I immediately met the East Dorset Potters. We meet every month and exhibit regularly in venues such as Highcliffe Castle, Bridport Arts Centre  and The Gallery Upstairs in Upton Country Park. The sea has always been a major influence in my life and sailing is a starting point for much of my work over the last 10 years. At the moment I make Raku and stoneware  ‘sailing‘ tiles and thrown and carved pots and bowls depicting sea scapes and sailing boats and make  my own glazes.  I took part in Dorset Art Weeks Open Studio event  last year, a great success. My work has been shown in Galleries in the Midlands and Dorset. I sell on line and am happy to work to commission.

email : jan.thompson.taylor@gmail.com

In 2021 Jan has been developing a new range in white earthenware with bright abstract colours