A great time with everyone from the Hampshire and Berkshire Guild at Stockbridge for this years Explore Making event.

Some lovely work, including 'Lightening Strike' by Nick Barberton, shown above with two jugs by Julie Ayton. I could not resist an Emily Myers vase, that came home with me...

A recent piece of mine - 'Second Time' (h28), that found a new home!

www.francesmarr.co.uk

More with the full form that
has appealed to me recently.

above 'Coffee' (h19cm)
I used dried coffee granules in the
smoke firing, and although I did not
really know how much of an effect they
had, I was very pleased with this one
after cleaning off the ashes.

left and below  'Stratum' (h23cm)
With a dark base balanced by the dark
opening and strong layered markings
this burnished piece stood out.

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A recent piece of work out of the smoke

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In Stockbridge last weekend,
I introduced my small hand held
sculptures, beyond the studio walls,
for the first time.

These are tactile ceramic discs and
I am playing with different textures
and finishes, some rough, some
smooth, and also seeing how they
relate together in groups. I am drawn
to frequently turn and rearrange
them, like playing with pebbles
on a beach.

Hampshire & Berkshire 
Guild of Craftsmen

www.francesmarr.co.uk

This installation was a joy to work on with Carolyn Marr.
We have used locally-found materials - including river grit, peat,
bracken and heather - combined with clay to create a series of
artworks tailor-made for this gem of a gallery
tucked under Tindale Fell, near Hallbankgate.

The gallery is roughly 20 minutes' walk from the
car park and there is disabled access.

Linescapes is continuing at
RSPB Geltsdale's gallery in the North Pennines Cumbria,
until 28th November 2017.

You can find the RSPB blog post about the show here

www.francesmarr.co.uk

Small rock like work made
using crank clay
with oxides and sea glass











Detail from a work using
locally found peat on paper.








Cabinet of Curiosities
A mix of sculptural ceramics and
objects found during a walk on the fell.

I am preparing work for Ground 4, an exhibition at the 

Florence Arts Centre, Egremont, Cumbria. Based in a 

disused mine they produce an iron ore pigment, Egremont, 

which I am using to make a slip. So far I am pleased 

with the results, adding a warmth to the work. 

Ground 4

9th September - 28th October 2017

A few memories of last week taking
a 'hand building and smoke firing'
ceramics course at Sylph Baier's
wonderful Moulin near Bergerac,
South West France.

The local village Restaurant gave
us a break in the heat of the day with
a three course meal on the menu.
Sylph looked after us all well with
copious amounts of cake and
cooling drinks. If you get the
chance, take a look at Sylphs
throwing courses that she runs
at the Moulin.
 

Working outside, with the sound of the trees in
the breeze and the stream in the valley,
made for a relaxing and productive time
without the usual distractions.

www.francesmarr.co.uk

The last chance to visit Coach House Studio
in the New Forest this weekend.

It has been busy for all of the Studios taking
part so far so I hope the weather holds up and
we have lots of visitors.

Above my 'Passing Pluto' pots are
off to a new space and left is 'Nest' with
porcelain eggs by Wendy De Salis

www.francesmarr.co.uk

With an Open Studio event at Coach House Studio in the New Forest
coming up fast - last two weekends in May - it is time to
get making. After that it is off to France for a hand building and
smoke fire course in June Sylph Baier's Moulin.

See more details on the Events page of my website!

  More work on the way for 2017 with several
  diverse, thought provoking projects shaping up.
  I hope it proves an exciting year.

  www.francesmarr.co.uk

I enjoyed making porcelain decorations,
stars and snowflakes, for the festive
season and the 'Mum bowls'
were well used over this Christmas.

Now I am thinking about what 2017 will bring....

www.francesmarr.co.uk

After an inspiring visit to Finistere, Brittany
a new work, Menez-Hom (h31cm).
Named after the highest point in the area that
looks along all three peninsulas including the
Crozon in the middle where Lagatjar
stone alignments sit near the end.

www.francesmarr.co.uk

I am exhibiting in Romsey Abbey and Rum's Eg 
for the month of August along with a fine selection 
of other ceramic and glass work. The title is 
'Dissolution and Revolution' 

Whilst wondering around this wonderful building I 
could not resist some of the details, hence the 
photo here. So much history and all those stories 
are food for reflection as this country lurches into 
a new and uncertain era.

www.francesmarr.co.uk

Cumrewfell (h28cm)

Here is the latest big work to come
out of the smoke firing. Lots of my
work is inspired by the landscape I
walk in, including the fells in
Cumbria. This piece reminds me of
a recent visit, up Cumrew Fell
in April.

www.francesmarr.co.uk

New for 2016 (h31cm).
This large hand built burnished vessel took
a long time to make but I am pleased with the result.
www.francesmarr.co.uk

Looking forward to showing work at 

Gallery 53 over two weekends in Salisbury. 

I am participating in an interesting mix 

of ceramics, paintings and drawings 

with artists form Cumbria and Wiltshire reflecting on their respective landscapes.

Small round pot from a recent smoke firing, preparing work
for an exhibition at Studio 53 in Salisbury at the end of February

I have taken a few photos of recent pieces, one of which is shown here. The dried heather branch I found on a Cumbrian fell walk seems to sit happily inside.

Tindale (h20cm)

I am excited to be showing two

pieces of work in this exhibition which 

has a great mix of established and 

emerging artists. 

My sister Carolyn Marr 

has some small 'Continuous Forms' 

included too. It is well worth 

visiting if you can and carries on for almost 

another two weeks until the 

15th November.

Mirka Golden-Hann has done a great job 

helping to make it happen and her film, 

taken on the opening night, where everyone 

chose their favourite coloured bowl from her 

amazing range of glazes is up and running!

above Carolyn Marr 3 continuous forms
left Mirka Golden-Hann

After a successful Open House
event in Brighton it's back to work!

My new website is up and
running so please visit
www.francesmarr.co.uk