Sinead Lough

Sinead Lough is a potter based in West Kerry. She started making pots full-time nearly two years ago after finishing the Crafts councils pottery skills course in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. Having studied ceramics in college, she worked as a web designer and travelling, before moving to the Gaeltacht. She found a space in a converted old cowshed where she has been what she calls “quirky but old fashioned” ceramics ever since. Sinead is a graduate of NCAD and, more recently of the Craft Council’s Pottery Skills Course in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. She makes functional and decorative hand-thrown pieces from her workshop in Kerry and also works to commission. We caught her in the act in her cowshed studio near Dingle.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
When I’ve some time off it’s great just to do nothing for a day, I’m surrounded by gorgeous scenery here so I do a bit of walking, I also like to cook... When I can I’ll head to Dublin for a few days for a bit of a change of pace and a catch up with friends, it’s always nice to get back to the rural life again though! I’ve always loved just making things and spent most of my time as a kid doodling or drawing things or making little animals out of plasticine – maybe that was a sign of things to come! Though I’m not sure how impressed I’d have been if you’d told me at the time I’d be working in a cowshed when I grew up... The majority of my work at the moment is thrown on the wheel, using a white earthenware clay, the pieces are decorated by hand with slips at the raw stage and then have a transparent glaze applied after the first firing.

You’ve used the web to promote your work before – what are your online recommendations?
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
http://whitneys-pottery.blogspot.com/
http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
http://www.lochphotoart.com
http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

What advice would you give to artists?
You’ll get loads of good advice from people when you’re starting out, but on the job practical experience and giving things a go for yourself is one of the best (also the slowest sometimes) way of learning things.

In ten years I’d like to be...
...hopefully doing pretty much what I’m doing now – only way better!

What’s a typical day like for you?
Well at the moment I’m trying to be disciplined so its into the studio for nine, with a pit stop at the beach on the way so Nellie the dog can run about like a Tasmanian devil for a half an hour or so. When I get to the workshop I’ll see what needs to be done from the previous day, resisting the temptation to tidy, sort, make lists of things to do etc. I try and get straight down to work for the first couple of hours at least – maybe some pots that are drying need to be trimmed, then decorated, or I might unpack a kiln or do some glazing, maybe pack up an order to go in the post ... If I’m throwing for the day I’ll usually spend a while preparing clay and weighing out different size pieces – every day is different really, which helps keep things interesting. I’ll stop for lunch at some stage and usually finish up soon after five. If it gets too late I’m always reminded that its time to go by Nellie sighing from her bed in the corner, so time for some more fresh air and then home. My favourite day of the week is Friday, even though I often work Saturdays now I still get that Friday afternoon feeling.

What do you do to kill time?
I never seem to have enough time!

Are you living your ideal lifestyle right now? If not what is your ideal lifestyle?
Yep. Well, I think I’m more than half way there anyway.

What’s your favourite drink?
Red wine.

What would be a special treat for you?
A skivvy to do all the menial tasks at home and in the workshop – heaven.

What’s your dream job?
Can’t really complain about my current job!

What is your latest obsession?
Different types of textiles with added detail like embroidery, patchwork that kind of thing.

What can’t you live without?
Coffee and chocolate.

What’s your best selling design/product?
Different things seem to sell in different places but I’d say teapot stands and pinch pots are always a good seller.

What’s your usual way of cooking a potato?
Em, this being Ireland, I can give you a whole list of ways to cook a spud!

Your favourite/most interesting supplier?
Just found these recently: Bison Studios – handmade turning tools (interesting if you’re a potter!) The clay I use tends to blunt normal turning tools after about a week so I’m thinking this is justification for buying one even though they’re about five times the price of the regular ones. http://www.bisonstudios.com/