I am a Scottish potter, painter and sculptor. Based at the very north of Scotland, in beautiful Caithness. Mainly producing hand sculpted, unique, ceramic pieces, from my modest pottery shed in the back garden.
I also love to draw and paint. Usually using my own photographs as reference, but also drawing images from my imagination; enjoying both processes equally.
I achieved a Higher National Diploma in Ceramics, sculpture and design from Cardonald College, in 1999. A fantastic experience, where my love of clay truly developed. Discovering and practising all the hand building techniques needed to visualise my creative ideas.
Over the years in my career, I have mainly worked in the mental health sector, supporting people with a wide range of mental health issues. Combining my love of clay and creativity; encouraging, and teaching people how art, in any form, is an important part of their healing journey. Having the ability to be able to express themselves in a positive, and deeply personal way; I have found, can have a profound affect on people, and their mental health.
I am someone that feels deeply connected to nature, and the environment around me. Caithness has a vast landscape, with space to be able to breathe. Its calming to the mind and body. The changing seasons are dramatic in the open landscape, and I find myself in a natural rhythm with them, producing work inspired by the ever-changing light and the wildlife they provide. I enjoy this kind of creative flow; as it means I’m thinking of new ideas, and processing new creative thoughts regularly.
About my work
I mainly hand pinch my sculpted work, with seals being one of my favourite local wildlife animals to create. I adore watching their personalities come to life as I handmake them, giving them all their own name once finished, to further enhance their identity and uniqueness. Collectors often say they feel a connection to my sculpted work, as it reminds them of someone, by the cheeky look or glance I’ve managed to create. I always feel so grateful when they share those stories with me, as I know the piece will be loved and cherished.
A love passed down from the maker to the collector. Every piece of work I create is handmade by me, using traditional hand building pottery techniques. This makes each piece of work sold, truly original and one of a kind.
I enjoy drawing from real life and from my imagination, letting ideas flow into sketches that I can work from, to apply to my ceramics. Photography is also a keen hobby of mine, and I plan to evolve this, along with my drawings, into a range of cards available from my online shop.
I have a love of Scottish folklore, and Viking history. These are areas of inspiration that I’m keen to explore more of, looking to develop more ideas to work with in the future.
I took the leap to go full time with my ceramics in 2024, and am currently enjoying the adventures that comes with being a full-time artist. I also produce a line of work for local stockists, all information for such is detailed in the stockists’ section of my menu, which you can find on the homepage.
Thank you for taking the time to read a bit about me, and my inspiration.
Please do get in contact through my email address or my social media pages if you would like any further information regarding Susan Marshall Ceramics.
I am a very proud member of the Scottish pottery association; they can be found at scottishpotters.org. If you want to find me, just put in a search for Susan Marshall Ceramics on their homepage.
