Helen Beard

Ceramicist

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Storytelling on ceramics

Helen creates ceramics objects for use as well as artistic compositions
She makes her illustration through carbon paper
Her inspiration comes from observing life

Helen Beard is an illustrator who works on ceramics as her canvas. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art where she discovered ceramics, although she initially disliked clay because of its messiness. But she did quickly fall in love with the material. After a great apprenticeship, she began her own studio practice. Her creative process begins by watching people and discovering stories, which are captured in her sketchbooks. Then she creates the ceramics and draws on the porcelain through carbon paper, so she cannot see the illustration as she is making it, which is key to achieving her style. Helen makes both one-of-a-kind hand-painted exhibition pieces and also has a series of ceramics for functional daily use produced in Stoke-on-Trent.

Interview

What did you learn through your apprenticeship?
A huge amount, because at art college I did very sculptural ceramics, and I had not learned how to use the wheel and how to throw on the wheel. During my apprenticeship, I spent half the time working on my own work, and half the time assisting his work.
Why do you illustrate on clay?
I often ask myself this same question, because if I just illustrated on paper, it would be so much easier. I just fell in love with clay when I started using it. I really love the immediacy of the material and that connection with clay is my starting point.
What do you mean that clay is 'immediate' for you?
It reacts to your touch, so when you are making ceramics, you can immediately see the form that you have created and how you have created it. I think it is responsive to your hands and it complements my style of drawing and mark-making.
How did you find your illustration style?
I went to Edinburgh College of Art and it was a really, really fantastic degree course because I was encouraged to produce sketchbooks and find my own style. I found that I have to completely stop looking at my paper and only look at what I am drawing.

Helen Beard is a master artisan: she began her career in 2004 and she started teaching in 2006