Francisca Blackburne

My journey with clay began 38 years ago as a decorator for Chelsea Pottery, London. Five years later I set up my own business making tile panels and commemorative ceramics and decorative functional pottery, using tin glaze with sgraffito design and underglaze colours. Subsequent stays abroad in La Borne, France, and Tuscany, Italy, working with other artists expanded my knowledge to working with stoneware and fueled my varied approach to working with different processes and clays. A degree in Crafts from Brighton University led to my work in manipulated textured porcelain and initiated teaching adult education ceramics.
Further to this a PGCE from Institute of Education, London enabled me to teach art in 6thform college and two week summer ceramic courses at International School of Ceramics, Tuscany. A Master's course and Diploma in Integrative Art Psychotherapy has given me the experience of using art therapeutically in several charities and an NHS centre for psychosis. Recently, I have returned to making earthenware using coloured slips for a more painterly approach to decoration and new sculptures inspired by nature.