Info
What craft do you work with?
I create ceramic sculptures, both free-standing and wall mounted, and I also dabble in making small porcelain jewellery pieces. I often add other objects to work, such as nails tin, wood and random found objects, creating mixed media sculptures.
What are your inspirations?
I have quite an eclectic array of inspirations including corrosion – I love a good texture – irish bog bodies, renaissance, mythology, folklore, museums such as the V & A and Pitt Rivers, and more recently neo-classical ceramics. There is countless others but right now I’d say that is my top selection.
How do you initiate your creative process?
Motivation can come from a variety of sources. On occasion looking through sketch books, spending a day drawing, or just starting to make.
How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?
My studio is rammed and, I prefer to say busy, but really, I’m both a hoarder and messy. I regularly take a day out to “de-clutter”.
Tools I could not do without include my serrated kidneys, dental tools for when I do detail work, plaster moulds of various textures, banding wheels, a red plastic tool I randomly found while walking in Belfast city centre.
Are there new techniques or craft practices you would like to try or collaborate with?
I am really interested in learning silversmithing to develop my jewellery. I would love to have a go using 3D printing as well as exploring larger work.
What have you learnt that you would like to share with fellow crafters?
One thing I keep having to remind myself is that you create the best work when you allow yourself to make what your instinct guides you to and not what you think will sell.
How would you like your practice to develop and what are your plans for the future?
I would like to get my work to a more international audience and get the opportunity to create some larger pieces, though I may need a bigger studio.
Website: https://www.annadonovan.com/
Instagram: artist_anna_donovan
Facebook: Artist Anna Donovan
