We continue with our spotlight feature where we shine the light on one of our sellers in order to learn more about the person behind the art. This week we’re talking to Charlotte Hupfield, a ceramics designer-maker.
SM: What led you to become a ceramic designer-maker and this career path?
CH: I’ve always been a creative person; I studied all types of art you can imagine at school, college and university. I graduated in 2008 with a degree in Surface Decoration where I specialised in ceramics, and have continued to develop my work from then on.
SM: Where do you take your inspiration from?
CH: My inspiration comes from the natural world. I tend to admire the smallest details in nature that other people might not even notice. I love natural textures and surfaces. If I’m out on a walk or visiting places I always make sure I have my camera with me, I like to photograph objects and surfaces that inspire me, and then I’ll use them to develop mixed-media drawings and prints, which then inform the surface of my ceramics.
My biggest ‘idol’ who inspires me the most is ceramist Kate Malone – I worked with her at Balls Pond Studio in London while at college and learnt so much from her. Her work is very different to mine in terms of shape and colour but I really admire her skills and views.
SM: How do you go about coming up with new designs?
CH: My designs are evolving and developing all the time. I like to play around with different ideas and try out new things. It’s mostly late at night when I’m in bed that a new idea will come into my head and I’ll have to get up and turn on the light so I can write it down!
SM: Tell us about your working environment, what surrounds you, how do you work?
CH: My workshop is a wooden shed out in my back garden. It is a perfect little den where I go to escape from the rest of the world. It has been very cold during the winter months, but also gets roasting hot in the summer! I have only just managed to control the drying process of my work – in winter nothing dries as it stays so cold and damp out there so I have to bring the work into the house. On the other hand it can dry too quickly in the summer. I love being able to work so close to home, and its great having the view of the garden and being able to watch the birds, as well as the odd squirrel who jumps onto the roof with a thud from the trees.
SM: What would be your perfect home? Where would it be and what would you put in it?
CH: My perfect home would be a big cottage somewhere surrounded by countryside, with stables and horses in the fields. My workshop would be joined onto the house, which would have proper solid walls with heating and plenty of space! My home decorations, ornaments and accessories would all be handmade, and I’d love to have a big space in the garden to invite family & friends round for BBQ’s in the summer.
SM: What is your favourite product from your collection?
CH: It’s hard to choose as each piece means a lot to me. Sometimes I feel sad letting a piece go because I like them all so much, and because each one of my pieces is a one-off I never make two pieces alike. Even if I try, it is sometimes difficult to recreate the exact same effects. I would say that my bowls are my favourite products at the moment, the melted glass in the base is very eye catching and it glimmers in the light.
SM: Putting you on the spot, what is your favourite Swanky Maison product, other than from your collection and why?
CH: Can I pick more than one? There are so many lovely things, but my favourites are the wooden shelf blocks by Sparrow Primitives, in particular this Love one:
SM: Finally, what do you have in store for us in the future, are you working on any news designs/products our readers might be interested in?
CH: I’m currently working on some new surface design ideas which will remain secret for the moment, at least until I know it works well. I have made a new range of ceramic buttons which will be available soon, and I want to start making some ceramic paper weights.
SM: Thanks Charlotte, great to get to know you even better!
Tags: Charlotte Hupfield, Handmade Ceramics, Kate Malone, Sparrow Primitives