“It all begins with a story, an interesting face captured as a sketch, research into womend’s Mythos or a conversation with someone I meet” Elaine collects such details in a range of sketchbooks and develops them into a larger scale, before creating the final pieces freehand. Each piece is the first attempt, there can be no corrections as the soft, damp surface is too sensitive and easily marked. Larger pieces take many hours.

Each piece is hand carved. Elaine uses a variety of mark-making tools such as victorian lace making needle, bark pieces and shells as well as more traditional sgraffito tools. Elaine uses a thin layer of high contrasting slip which is painted over a white smooth clay body for most of her sgraffito work. She also occasionally uses a black or red clay as the base. Each piece is glazed inside to protect the surface. There is a contrasting colour or texture on the other side of the bowls and plates. Her beakers are also glazed inside so they are safe to use