In the studio with… Carla Murdoch
In every possible way, it’s a pleasure to collaborate with ceramicist Carla Murdoch.
She crafts bold and beautiful ceramics that are equally a joy to look at as they are to use, and the kiln-fired nature of their finish gives each piece subtle quirks and distinct character.
Working from her garden-studio in the leafy outskirts Sheffield, Carla Murdoch brims with creativity and passion; for glazes, gardening and truly tasty home-grown food.
You're so much fun to spend time with Carla. What do you think it is about you/your traits that's driven you to become a ceramicist?
I am a bit of a risk taker, but also very structured. Repetitive tasks are a joy which helps with the throwing and trimming but then the wild side kicks in and lets me explore. Going to university to do a pottery degree was a total risk take, it all felt very spur of the moment/see what happens. Then coming back to ceramics in 2016 was the same, I am very good at saying no, projects/activities have to really excite me or make me nervous to say yes.
What's the vibe in your studio - favourite playlist, snack, podcast?
In the AM it’s all about learning/murder mystery, podcasts such as Redhanded, Art Juice is a current fave, Feel better Live more - my podcast list in endless and covers every vibe. When it gets to PM or Friday feeling its all about the playlists, I am loving 90’s/00’s dance/electric at the moment, I have had Lazy by X-press 2 ft David Byrne on repeat! Snacks oooo always depends on my appetite, sometimes a pastry or fruit or ready salted crisps. I haven’t for a while but a beer when throwing is also quite a treat!
What's your favorite tool to use with clay and why?
The Rubber Kidney! So useful, little kidney shaped rubber, some are firm some are soft, couldn’t be without one for smoothing the inside of bowls, pushing glaze through the sieve and compressing slabs of clay. Took me ages to get the hang of it for slab work, patience and confidence were the key to getting it right.
We both love food. Does your passion for flavour and good nosh influence what you choose to throw on your potter's wheel?
It sure does, sometimes I make a recipe and think I can make the perfect vessel for that! Recently I used a small bowl from back in 2018 everyday, for soup for yoghurt, for puddings so it’s making a come back! It really helps people understand that the object has function. For sometime I used to put garlic in little bowls at markets and at one event I sold out as everyone kept saying ”oh I didn’t know I needed a garlic pot” then bought one.
Could you tell us about the gorgeous glazes that you use?
Glazes are pure chemistry, I very much love the process of developing and testing colours, with different combinations of oxide to create the colours. It takes can take a while to decide which ones to go for. I’m very particular about shades/tones/texture. It could be quite easy to say oh it worked and just run with it, but colour sets the scene and so it has to be right, even more so when they are going to sit with other objects in homes or be filled with food.
What do you like/ and dislike about collaborating?
The Joys of collaborating is the conversation and inspiration, coming away totally re inspired, full of ideas. After our conversations things like packaging, emails and general business chat. So much comes from it and then the joining of two small businesses, it’s like magic seeing the final product come together.
The downsides is always the worry that the kiln will fail and the work has to be done again, but having a collaborator that understands the handmade element makes things feel so much better.
Finally, scent! Fragrance is at the core of what we create, but what part does it play in your life?
This will come as no surprise, citrus especially Clementines around Christmas... IYKYK. Citrus has such a way to lift the spirits and feel fresh. There’s always a candle on the windowsill of the studio, even when it’s not on the wind will blow the scent around and it just brings a bit of joy to the day. Then in the winter a studio morning ritual, candle on (psychologically makes me feel warm) and write my journal and fill out the days to do list, with a cup of tea of course!
