Mug by Penny Simpson

The 'Country Collection' is inspired by where Penny Simpson lives - on Dartmoor in Devon. This collection of hand-made pots, plates, dishes and mugs, features a range of designs and techniques. Subtle creams and greens form the gentle colour.

This mug measures approximately 9cm high (12cm wide from back of handle to front of mug) and main part of mug approx' 7cm wide.

 See more by Penny Simpson

From an early age Penny enjoyed playing with clay at home, as her mother had a small pottery studio. However, it was not until Penny lived in Japan in her twenties that she became more seriously interested in making pots.

Penny says that “I loved the delicious food in Japan and the way it was often served on hand-made pots. The variety of tableware and its wide use in homes and restaurants was very inspiring. I started pottery classes and travelled widely in Japan to visit the many pottery areas.”

After my apprenticeship at Darlington Pottery, Penny chose to work with red earthenware clay, following in the English slipware tradition. She likes the warm colour of the clay and the decorative possibilities of using coloured slips with a few simple glazes.

The inspiration for decoration comes mainly from nature - Penny walks in the countryside where she lives and the trees and plants provide a wealth of inspiration. She also likes to explore texture in her work and often use a ‘sgraffito’ technique, incising through layers of slip to the clay colour underneath. Penny has worked in her present workshop in Moretonhampstead, Devon, for the last 25 years.