Richard St John Heeley
2026 – Taking part in Potfest by the Lake – Compton Verney and Potfest in the Park – Hutton-in-the-Forest.
Richard Heeley is a studio potter creating hand-thrown vessels that balance precision with spontaneity. Influenced by East Asian traditions, his work has shifted from blue and white porcelain to the earthy depth of wood-fired Shino glazes. Rooted in the landscape surrounding Hempmill Pottery & Cookery School, which he runs with his wife Lucy, his practice draws directly from local clay, timber, and tools he makes himself. Childhood experiences of exploring woods and streams remain present in his pots, where ash, slip, and flame record the rhythms of nature. “My work is born of place,” Richard writes, “and sustained by it.”