There’s a story here…I’m not entirely sure what. But I do have an endless fascination with the humble dandelion. I was reminded of it’s beginning when a friend in Germany sent me a photo of her morning coffee in one of my terracotta sgraffito mugs – the range I began my ceramics business with.I recently photographed a new selection of dandelion specimens just to remind my drawing brain what they really look like after a winter of illustrating from memory. I only throw and illustrate porcelain now – a very different look from my earthy terracotta pieces. The dandelion lends itself just as well though and, despite the hand cramps, I never tire of drawing it…I also produce fine bone china wares – firing my illustrations on to ready made pieces instead of creating each vessel from scratch. It’s a different feel and I like the utilitarian uniformity and perfection it gives the pieces. It also means I can produce matching tea towels – a source of great satisfaction to me. Some artists relish the giclee print and the framed work but I love the idea of my designs finding their way into my favourite room in the house, the nurturing kitchen at its heart.Above you can see slip and sgraffito decorated earthenware mugs in dandelion thistle – I no longer make them but a client commissioned them to add to their collection of this work. My first dandelion tea towel is shown below with a 50s colours and feel. I’ve updated the design for 2018 in fresh slate and citrine on white, increasing the scratchy mid century modern look. It’s pictured at the top of this post. Below is an alternative dandelion bone chinaware motif – again it has a mid-century feel with ochre highlights this time.Everything starts with pen and paper and botanical specimens for me – I love the rigour of drawing from life and trying to catch botanicals in the best season. One day I’ll manage to get my sketchbook out before the Forsythia flowers wither and fall…