Renee Boyd – ceramic artist
An interview with the ceramicist who works from her Glen Eden studio – Photography: Sheryl Burson
Murray keeps guard
despite his lack of eyesight
and softy nature
What is the best advice that you have been given?
I’m not sure I have been given any exact advice from anyone. I’ve always just known that I’ve always wanted to do this and therefore work hard to keep it going and I love being in my studio.2. When was the first time me that you remember realising that you are a creative person?
I was lucky as a child, my parents loved to make things and therefore my sister and I spent hours and hours just making everything we could from sewing clothes to painting and drawing etc. At school, I had more fun designing my cover pages for my assignments then doing the assignment so I think I was exposed very young to being a creative person. I’m still drawing and doodling now, every piece of paper around me gets covered in ink patterns.
Have other people supported or inspired you?
I have had a huge amount of support from my family, friends and other creatives out there that I have worked with and learnt from. I feel very lucky to have learnt my craft from very supportive potters who have happily passed on all their skills and knowledge to me. Potters seem to love a good chat over a coffee and are always keen to talk pots.5. Are there any other Creative channels you use to express your creativity?
No. I seem to be all about the clay, although I have been drawing a lot lately with my little boy Jed and finding that’s lots of fun as another way to relax together.
Whose ceramics works do you collect?
Most of the ceramic work I collect is from my friends as its more accessible and affordable and I love knowing the person who has handmade the piece. It’s a lovely connection you have with it forever.
What do you do in a normal day that contributes to your creative work?
I always read design online blogs and magazines and can be easily distracted on sites like instagram and pinterest. I try to sketch ideas down quickly. I start with cardboard and paper mould prototypes. This process is quick and satisfying. During the whole process, I’m never sure how things will turn out and opening a kiln is always an exciting experience.
I work in my tiny studio under my house. I’ve always been very drawn to geometric patterns, shapes that repeat, so traditional shibori has been quite influential for me lately when glazing my vases etc. On the flip-side, I am
very drawn to calm and quiet design, I believe that less is more, so I’m also drawn to design that shows restraint. I think that shibori really has both of these things, in its patterns and in its practice.
Where do you find inspiration for your colour palette?
I love the softer simple colours that have a relaxed feel to them the most. I like my work to sit there in the room
without making a fuss and have a timeless easy quality to the pieces.
What’s your favourite thing about living/working out here?
I’ve lived out west my whole life so, to me, its nice being part of a great creative community out here that’s very supportive. Your not too far from the Waitakere’s walks and beaches, but also accessible to town too.
Do you think that you would be able to teach what you do?
I’ve had one go at teaching kids and I was completely hopeless so I’m not sure that’s a path I would go down. There’s just so much to learn about ceramics that it’s something you study your whole life while making. That’s the beauty of it; always researching and seeing what you can make is part of the addictiveness of clay.
reneeboyd.co.nz
STOCKISTS FOR RENEE BOYD CERAMICS
BLACK BIRD GOODS
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KINA NZ DESIGN & ART SPACE
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THE PAPERPLANE STORE
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THE PIECE GALLERY
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THE POI ROOM
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THE SUNDAY HOME STORE
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TE URU WAITAKERE CONTEMPORARY GALLERY
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Kaolin
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