Digging up wild clay in Portsmouth with Follie
Have you ever had made pot from clay you discovered on the beach?
It's an interesting experience, especially when you stop to think and actually realise that clay originates from the earth (duh). Yet, in our everyday lives, we often overlook the journey that raw materials take before they become the finished products we admire.
Over the course of a few weeks, I had the unique opportunity to accompany Hollie, AKA Follie, on a creative journey where she transformed wild clay sourced from Milton into a one-of-a-kind pot.
I had done a six-week pottery workshop with Hollie last year, which I found deeply therapeutic and engaging (I need to sign up for another one). Although I'm definitely no professional potter, the satisfaction of crafting something tangible was deeply satisfying and ignited my curiosity about Hollie' work.
During our conversations, I learned about Hollie's practice of utilising wild clay she collects from various locations in Portsmouth, and I was eager to gain insight into her process. The first step in our adventure was to hunt for the clay itself. Hollie took me to a spot in Milton, and showed me how to identify the best quality wild clay. We did also come across a lot of bugs but that's okay. Nature is nature.
As we walked along the shore, I was amazed by her keen eye—not only did she find clay, but her knack for spotting lost treasures was remarkable. If you ever misplace anything on the beach, Hollie is your go-to gal; it seems she possesses a true superpower in uncovering hidden gems. Many of which she actually includes in her work, btw.
One intriguing find during our expedition was something called Pirate Glass. Hollie explained that this unique type of glass appears black at first glance but reveals a stunning range of colors when you shine a light to it. It often resembles a simple pebble, making it challenging to recognise. Ever since that day, I find myself scanning the beach in hopes of discovering some Pirate Glass for myself. Although no such luck, yet.
Anyway, once we had gathered a sufficient amount of clay, it was time to head back to Hollie's studio at Hotwalls for the next phase: preparing the clay for crafting. The entire process involves several careful steps:
- dry the clay out over a week or so (makes it easier to break up into small chunks and take out any large debris)
- smash up into small pieces
- submerge in water overnight so the clay absorbs water
- blend to make slip
- sieve out more debris
- pour clean clay into a plaster sink to absorb moisture out of it and make it into workable clay
A couple of weeks later, once the clay had gone through it's process it was time to make something. So we were back in the studio where Hollie expertly worked the clay into a pot, impressive considering the challenge of moulding a watertight vessel from raw material. Not quite something I mastered in her workshop, although my mugs are still going strong (enough). Then after she finished, the pot was placed into the kiln for it's first firing at 1000 degrees. This process takes about 24 hours including the time it takes to heat up and cool down.
Then it was time for it's second firing, this time at 1200 degrees. After another 24 hours in the kiln, it was time to unveil the final product. What struck me most was the vibrant color of the finished pot. Having observed the clay's unassuming, earthy tone during its initial harvesting from the ground, I was genuinely surprised by its vivid hues post-firing. While more seasoned potters might have anticipated this transformation, for me, it was a nice surprise.
I can't wait to see what other extraordinary pieces Hollie will conjure from the clay of our little island—each telling a story as unique as the artist herself.
Check out our Reel on Instagram to watch the process.
Check out Hollie's workshops here.
Check out Hollie's shop here.
