I first spotted the work of Edinburgh-based ceramicist and illustrator Celia Wood when I was planning the very first range for Land Tales. I was looking for something colourful and expressive that took inspiration from folk stories and the natural world. Celia's hand-built and hand-painted ceramics just fit the bill perfectly.
When the first Land Tales pop up shop opened in November 2023, Celia's beautiful ceramic vases brightened up the window and were quickly snapped up by customers who fell head over heels for her joyful work.
Since then, Celia's work has featured in every Land Tales pop up shop and a collection of her works has featured in the online shop. Her pink candlestick sets and vases with their hand-painted yellow bird surrounded by foliage, are firm favourites with Land Tales customers.
So I was delighted when Celia kindly agreed to answer some questions and share an insight into her work.
Hi Celia! Let's start at the beginning - where did your interest in ceramics begin?
My interest and practice in ceramics began like many others, in evening classes. At the time I was studying part time in my third year of Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art, and was eager for another creative outlet outside of the academic setting. I quickly got the clay bug and began bringing ceramics into my illustration degree.
Can you talk a little about your journey to becoming a professional ceramicist and illustrator?
The Covid lockdown was the catalyst for pursuing ceramics professionally. It provided time and space to create my first online collection. From the positive response I received I committed the year to teaching myself hand building and the basics of glazing. I felt I needed ceramics training, so I became a pottery assistant for Cara Guthrie, pottery technician for Edinburgh Ceramics Workshop, Artist in Residence for ANTA Scotland and part of the cohort for Craft Scotland Compass Programme.
These experiences provided knowledge and skills to pursue ceramics as my career. In summer 2023 I received my first wholesale order and since then it has been an exciting and steady year of making and selling.
How do you describe the style of your work?
I often describe my style as being heavily influenced by folk art and historical ceramic narrative. I love the tradition of storytelling through ceramics and feel really inspired by capturing a poem or piece of literature through the means of clay.
My illustration style is loose and fluid, with expressive line work and mark making. I combine this with pattern and colour. Because I hand build my work, each piece is always a little different which can lead to naive and playful canvases to work on.
I never take things too seriously and always try to have fun in what I make! My hope is that this joy comes through in my work.
If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
I would say joyful, naive and colourful.
Is there such a thing as a typical week (or month) for you?
Not really! Which is one of the reasons why I love what I do so much. Each week is different, this is based on the breadth of orders or commissions that come through and which stage of the ceramic process my work is at. One week can look like throwing small vases on the wheel every day, whilst the next can look like glazing large plates, and the next editing photography and sending emails.
Do you have any favourite pieces to make?
I love coil building large vases. These are often made for exhibitions and there's something so exciting about a larger canvas and taking more time to consider what the narrative for each vase should be. This is the direction I'd love to take my work in, making larger one off pieces.
You recently moved to a new studio - how's it been settling into the new space?
I love my new studio! I have had many studios and this has to be the favourite yet. It has traditional Edinburgh features such as the high ceiling, a wee fire place and large windows making it a light filled and cosy room to make in. Being in the centre of town too means I am close to the hustle and bustle of life and can walk to it from home.
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Thank you so much to Celia for taking the time to share this closer look at your work and practice. Thanks also to Liam Rotheram, Shaun Barton and Celia Wood for the images.
Be sure to follow Celia at @cealswood on Instagram to see her newest work including those beautiful large one-off vases she's been working on! And check out the current Celia Wood collection at Land Tales.
