Mary Cousins

I make tableware in stoneware and porcelain clays. My work is kept simple, using plain coloured glazes but often the addition of small applied clay decoration, interesting handles and good strong shapes. I love the translucency of porcelain, especially the opal glaze in delicate turquoise which has become a great favourite, with a deeper colour developing inside bowls and cups. 

The storm glaze for porcelain is another star, it catches any decoration and develops into shades of blue grey, like a deep stormy sky. The stoneware Countryware range uses delicately coloured clay slips, as shown in the thumbnail picture of nesting bowls, and on the oil decanters shown here. More recent work reflects the seashore, with vases in shell shapes, decorated with barnacles and shingle treasures in gold. 

My work is available from the following galleries: 

• Craft Renaissance, Kemeys Commander, Usk, NP15 1JU 
• The Court Cupboard Craft Gallery, Llantillio Pertholey, Abergavenny, NP7 8AU 

Exhibitions and demonstrations: 

• North and South Wales Potters exhibition at the International Ceramic Festival, Aberystwyth since 2009 
• Art in Penallt annual arts festival, since 2011 
• Ceramic Celebration, South Wales Potters 50th anniversary touring exhibition 2014 
• The Albany Gallery, Cardiff, 2015 
• National Eisteddfod, Abergavenny 2016