Through quiet exploration, patience and repetition come the stunning ceramic pieces from Clayhead. We sat down with artist and maker, Carol Taylor to learn more about her craft that is as therapeutic to watch as it is for her to create.
There’s something beautiful and functional about her work as she reminds us that good things take time.
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Hailing from the Byron Shire on the New South Wales coast, Carol saw ceramics as an opportunity to help her slow down in her busy life.
“I live with my husband, our 2 young daughters and 2 dogs. My home studio is where most of my pieces come to life. Often with little hands helping (or more like, interrupting!)” Carol says with a laugh.
“I have a deep love for good design, handmade objects and photography. My background is in graphic design and in my previous job I was a lead designer in the publishing industry.
“Motherhood gave me a chance to pause and an opportunity to rediscover my hands-on creativity. Clay quickly became my outlet and evolved into my passion.
It offered something grounding and meditative that a 9 to 5 job couldn’t. What began as a creative escape soon turned into Clayhead.
The slow and repetitive style to Clayhead pieces are a lesson in life to pause and appreciate that good things take time.
“When I am creating, my craft brings me calm and clarity,” smiles Carol. “Working with clay brings me back to the present moment.
There’s something deeply therapeutic about turning a lump of clay into something beautiful and functional. It’s a reminder that good things take time.
“My petal pieces started as a quiet exploration of repetition and rhythm. Pressing, shaping and layering clay until it almost feels alive. Each form grows slowly, petal by petal, often inspired by organic structures found within nature.
“I do rough sketches, or draw out some ideas dancing in my head before turning to creating with clay. But sometimes, it turns out totally different to how I imagined it. There’s a real patience to my process, but that’s part of the joy.”
Inspired by nature, the pieces from Clayhead are truly unique.
“Nature is a constant source of inspiration. The texture of rocks, petals, leaves, and other forms found can motivate me to create,” says Carol.
I’m also drawn to repetition and imperfection — the balance between control and surrender.
“My travels often spark new ideas too. I love observing how other cultures approach ceramics and form.
“When I create, I always come back to vases. They feel sculptural yet functional, each one has its own personality. I love how they can transform a space with or without flowers.
“Also I enjoy the challenge of making larger vessels, rather than smaller ones. There is something about a larger scale to work with that gives my ceramics life.”
Fitting her craft in around a busy home life is something that Carol sees as both a challenge, and a blessing.
“Clayhead is my full-time job. I’m grateful that it’s also my passion and I truly love creating.
“As my studio is at home, it can often be a juggle to create around family life. Some weeks the studio is a flurry of making and kiln firings. And then other weeks it’s slower and quieter. I’ve learned to embrace the rhythm, it’s all a part of the creative process!
“I recently participated in the North Coast Ceramics Mud Trail. I opened my studio to the public for the first time. It was such a joy connecting with people face to face and seeing them respond to my work.”
Photography — Elna Nelson
What gorgeous and inspiring pieces Carol creates. We were delighted she shared them with us! Not sure about you, but we find her petal technique so calming and beautiful to watch!
You can see more behind the scenes studio moments and keep an eye out for new works on Clayhead’s Instagram page.
Discover more artists here
