Michael is relatively new to pottery, but his journey into ceramics has been remarkably accelerated. Following an introductory lesson with Carol Foster, he soon found himself on a weekend course with Lucy Rutter. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion, leading him to seek every opportunity to develop his throwing skills. Regular drop-in sessions with George Foster followed, before he was invited to join Carol Foster’s classes on a permanent basis.

By a fortunate twist of fate, Michael was invited to spend time at Kate Malone’s studio. What began as an opportunity to observe soon developed into assisting with the making of her commissioned works. From the essential studio tasks of pugging clay, sieving glazes and maintaining the clay trap, to producing individual ceramic elements that would become part of Kate’s extraordinary sculptures, the experience proved invaluable. The influence of this time is evident in the hand-built aspects of Michael’s own work.

His mushroom-inspired pedestal bowls, Die Steinpilze—the German name for ceps, meaning “stone mushrooms”—draw inspiration from woodland foraging and the quiet beauty of the natural world. Formed from two thrown elements joined together, each piece is individually carved and textured using serrated tools and rifloirs. Hundreds of subtle hand-made marks, almost invisible from a distance but revealed through touch, create a richly tactile surface.

Made from the same T-material clay body used by Kate Malone, the pieces are fired twice before being left unglazed. The resulting surface has the appearance of weathered carved stone, with a soft, natural finish that is protected with a coat of wax.

Through throwing, carving and hand building, Michael seeks to capture the quiet beauty of woodland discoveries, creating tactile ceramic forms that invite both contemplation and touch. Each piece reflects both the unpredictability of nature and the marks of the maker’s hand, celebrating the subtle imperfections that make every object unique.