Kimberley Macdonald Art

Do you concentrate on one medium, or do you work in several?

I am an artist and ceramicist and love working with both paint and clay! My main job is as a pottery teacher so I suppose clay always seems more like my ‘job’ whilst painting seems more like a treat to work on. I try and spend time on both and couldn’t possibly choose a favourite!

 Tell me about your workspace.

I make my ceramics in the studio where I work as a teacher at The Clayrooms in Ashbourne and Peak Village. Often I work out of hours after classes have finished or before they start to create my own pots. My paintings are done in my little (conservatory) studio at home where I work with my two little dogs keeping me company. In the future I would love to have a separate studio where I can have both my ceramics making and painting in one place.

 What inspires you?

I work quite loosely and organically. If I am working on a commission I will sketch this out first but otherwise a lot of the time I will work loosely from an idea which develops as I go along. Most of my work is very bright and colourful so I usually have a colour palette planned and often the design of the piece is based around the colour. I love flowers and birds and a lot of these feature in an imaginary and playful way.

 Do you have a favourite piece in your Little Gallery exhibition?

I have a favourite painting that I was very tempted to keep and have made a promise to myself to keep it if it doesn’t sell in this exhibition. I will often know if I really like something I am making quite early on in the process. Artists usually put a lot of soul into their work and this can often result in being very self critical, so when you really like something it can be quite easy to get attached to it.

 How did you start doing what you do?

I took up pottery classes several years ago at The Clayrooms and after developing my own work over time was then lucky enough to be offered a position of a teacher there which has been a really lovely organic process. My painting was something I loved doing as a hobby so I recently studied for a painting foundation which has allowed me to further develop my skills and style.

 If you have spare time, what do you do with it?

I am a Mum to four children and two dogs so I always have something to do! I love nature and always try and get outside with the dogs when I can and love traveling with my family.

 What’s next for you?

I love sharing the joy of pottery through my teaching role but I also love making my own work so hopefully continue and develop both these roles! I always have so many ideas for my art waiting to come out so I can’t ever imagine being bored or creatively blocked! I really love what I do. The next year will see me hold a couple more shows and exhibitions that I am really looking forward to.