MEET: Julie Barham

Here's hoping you all had a fantastic start to 2012. We are very pleased to kick off our new year with a fantastic interview with Surrey-based ceramicist, Julie Barham. Julie creates gorgeous nature-inspired sculptural works as well as ranges of colourful and clean and simple, practical ceramics for everyday use. 

Colourful Terracotta Bowls by Julie Barham

Please tell us about yourself and how you got started?

My interest in ceramics began at the age of 16 when I attended a Saturday morning pottery class at the Plymouth College of Art. Since then I have dabbled with clay on and off, never letting go of it, but never making more of it! About 5 years ago a teaching contract came to an end ( I am a modern languages teacher) and I decided that it was time to have a change. I have had my own studio for just over a year.

What is the story and ethos behind your ceramic work?

I would like my work to be useful and yet attractive to look at. I think ceramics should draw you to touch them - everything is important - the shape, colour and texture.

Bitter-sweet Plate by Julie Barham

Do you have any formal training/experience which applies to what you do?

I have attended some classes over the years and had some work experience in a pottery.

Your work features a wide range of different glazes from the colourful to the very natural and references plant-life and nature; are you naturally drawn to these subject matters and if so why?

I am aware that my work reflects two extremes - the plain and simple and also the colourful. This is a strange dichotomy, which I do not fully understand! I was brought up by the sea and think that this is where my love of the natural comes from - the sand, the rock formations and the cliffs. Patterns have always caught my eye - whether they be in the rocks, in the sand, trees or plants and also in textiles.

Blue and White Collection by Julie Barham

Have you noticed the fabulous textiles worn by many in the developing countries - how much richer they are than our Western styles - the colours are stunning and the patterns bold - I love the exotic nature of them - hence the extremes?!

What do you love most about ceramics and what do you find the most frustrating?

I love the organic nature of ceramics - the way a piece 'grows' in your hands. It is frustrating when things go wrong in the kiln - although obscurely the unexpected can also be exciting!

We love your garden ornament flower sculptures; what was the inspiration for these?

I love looking at plants. It's fascinating to see how they change from bud to flower to seedhead and to see how the latter changes as it dries and cracks to scatter its seeds. As a child, my mum and I used to pick wildflowers and we pressed them and found out their names - how idyllic! Perhaps this contributed to my love. As for the poppy seedheads, I find their shape quite striking and I just felt I had to make some!

Seed Heads by Julie Barham

What is your favourite design and why?

I like the variations I have done on my 'star' and 'crazy' designs. I like detailed patterns and the fluidity of using a slip trailer.

Small and Medium Star Plates

Can you tell us a bit about where you create your ceramics (your creative space), can we take a sneaky peak at your workshop?

I work in a logcabin at the end of my garden. It is freezing cold in the winter (ice forms in the water buckets and newly thrown pots have to come into the house otherwise they freeze!) and hot in the summer (especially when the kiln is on!).

Julie in her studio!

What are your plans for the next 12 months and where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

I want to go 'bigger' with my seedheads and do more handbuilding, probably of other organic shapes. I also want to find some more outlets for my work. In 5 years time I hope to be more established.

Poppy Seedhead by Julie Barham

Is handmade a lifestyle choice for you and if so why?

I love handmade things and shun mass-produced items that make large profits for companies! When giving something, I think it's preferable (although' not always practical or possible) to put a little time and effort into the giving. A hand-made card or self-arranged bouquet is more meaningful to me.

Running your own business is extremely hard work, how do you balance your work and home life and what do you do to wind down?

I try to have particular time slots in my studio, as if I was going to work. It's not always easy to stick to them, as working with clay demands doing things at the right time - i.e. the the correct moment of wetness or dryness and of course it is also always more appealing than the housework! To wind down I like to read a book that has an engrossing story.

How do you get the word out about your work and where can we buy your work?

I have a mailing list which I regularly email with details about events I am taking part in (email Julie at juliebarham@aol.com to be added to the mailing list) .

I also sell through:

• White Gallery in Dorking, Surrey
• Gallery 55 in Hartney Whitney, Hampshire
• Duchy Square for Creativity in Princetown, Devon.

I take part in the Surrey Artists' Open Studios and have a web page on the SAOS site which details events.

Read about lots of other fabulous, creative people here: http://www.ukhandmade.co.uk/designers