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Explore Artisans Museums & Galleries Experience Itineraries About
©Layton Thompson
©Layton Thompson
©Layton Thompson
©Layton Thompson
©Michael Harvey

Helen Beard

  • Ceramicist
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Master Artisan
Helen Beard Ceramicist
©Layton Thompson

Storytelling on ceramics

  • • Helen creates ceramics objects for use as well as artistic compositions
  • • She makes her illustration through carbon paper
  • • Her inspiration comes from observing life

Helen Beard is an illustrator who works on ceramics as her canvas. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art where she discovered ceramics, although she initially disliked clay because of its messiness. But she did quickly fall in love with the material. After a great apprenticeship, she began her own studio practice. Her creative process begins by watching people and discovering stories, which are captured in her sketchbooks. Then she creates the ceramics and draws on the porcelain through carbon paper, so she cannot see the illustration as she is making it, which is key to achieving her style. Helen makes both one-of-a-kind hand-painted exhibition pieces and also has a series of ceramics for functional daily use produced in Stoke-on-Trent.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Michael Harvey
  • ©Michael Harvey
  • ©Michael Harvey
  • ©Michael Harvey
  • ©Michael Harvey
Photo: ©Michael Harvey
An English Glasshouse

This is a one-of-a-kind installation, consisting of a large porcelain bowl with small handmade porcelain figures and garden props. All were hand-painted.

Photo: ©Michael Harvey
The Popularity of Wild Swimming

This is a one-of-a-kind installation made of a wheel thrown porcelain bowl and tiny vessels. They were all hand-painted. The ladder is made of handmade porcelain.

Photo: ©Michael Harvey
School Life

This one-of-a-kind installation was hand built in porcelain. It consists of a building and tiny wheel thrown porcelain vessels. All items were hand-painted.

Photo: ©Michael Harvey
The Serpentine Swimming Club 1

This is a hand-rolled porcelain tile that was hand-painted. The illustration is of swimmers by an outdoor pool.

Photo: ©Michael Harvey
The Serpentine Swimming Club 2

This is a hand-rolled porcelain tile that was hand-painted. The illustration is of swimmers diving into water.

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