Front Cover: Pebbles - Janina Chowaniec

Front Cover: Pebbles - Janina Chowaniec

Potter, printer, painter

As a former biomedical scientist, retirement has enabled me to indulge my interest in printing, painting and ceramics, reluctantly relinquished since school days.

I joined Steyning Arts in its infancy, learning to throw pots with its co-founder, Ben Barker and over the years have come to know, and admire the work of, many Steyning artists. I’m now an associate potter with Mohamed Hamid of Star Pottery, Lewes where I sell what some call ‘Japanesey’ hand-decorated stoneware and experiment with glaze combinations.

I also love printing, principally linocuts using the reduction technique which Picasso called ‘suicide printing’ because it uses a single block for many colours and allows for no mistakes. More recently I’ve experimented with combinations of watercolour and drypoint.

Living as I have on the South coast for the last 35 years, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the beauty of the Sussex landscape, flora and coastline.
 
I’ve always had a fascination for stones. Even the most simple pebbles are so full of life and our beaches are made of them! During lockdown I spent time capturing their essence in watercolour, an example of which is on the front cover of this months Your Steyning.

My images are sold as cards, signed limited edition giclees and originals at open houses and art trails on the south coast. Examples of my work can be found at:

https://steyningarts.co.uk/steyning-art-trail-artists/ , https://www.hamid-pottery.co.uk/ , Instagram @theprintingpotter