ENAMELS                                                                                                                                                                         Enamel is a type of precious glass. It is, basically, a combination of flux (clear glass) and metal oxides (for colour). Variations in the composition of frit produce enamel of varying viscosity under heat and hardness and brilliance.

TYPES OF ENAMELS                                                                                                                                                     Enamels can be classified into following groups: Opaque, through no light will pass, Transparent through which light may easily pass and Opalescent, which vary in translucency and opacity. In my work, I mostly use opaque enamels. Sometimes I apply opalescent or transparent colour over a base of opaque enamel. Normally I work with a very limited palette of light colours, preferring to concentrate on other properties of enamel and in particular its textural qualities.

SURFACES                                                                                                                                                                       When taken out of kiln enamel has a glossy highly polished finish. I find this unattractive so I treat the surface further to achieve richer and more sensual textures. I use a variety of matting techniques: glass etching creams, matting salts, stoning and grinding.

METALS                                                                                                                                                                           Copper and silver are most commonly used enamelling metals. Gold, certain types of bronze and steel all take enamel well  My metal of choice is fine silver because of its malleability and because it can be beautifully textured. These properties allow me to concentrate on surfaces and help create a sense of balance between glass and metal. This in turn enables me to explore simple but strong forms.

FORMING TECHNIQUES                                                                                                                                                 All of my pieces are one-offs and all of them are hand made using traditional silversmithing techniques such as raising, sinking, scoring and planishing. Whenever possible I will forge my metal as well. However, I strive very hard not to allow my technical interests to get better of my creative sensibility. When I am making I try not to anticipate so my pieces are never really finished. This interplay between chance and intent, in visual and intellectual sense, is crucial to my way of thinking. It is as if my work records the history of its own making.