Through her works, she seeks simplicity away from the man-made urban environment.
Janene Waudby is an accomplished ceramic artist whose lifelong obsession with the sea and nature deeply influences her creative work. Having walked, dived, and sailed extensively around the world, including challenging voyages around Cape Horn and across the Southern Ocean, she draws profound inspiration from these experiences. In 2016, Janene embraced art as her full-time pursuit, initially settling in the Scottish Highlands before relocating to a serene peninsula in Southeast England.
Nature's Profound Influence
Janene's artistic practice is intimately connected to ancient landscapes shaped by water and lichen. Working primarily with ceramics, she creates vessels that are either thrown or hand-built, then carefully burnished with smooth stones before undergoing a meticulous smoke-firing process using wood shavings. This technique allows her to capture textures and colors reminiscent of natural environments, particularly the wild coasts of the British Isles.
Craftsmanship and Process
The firing process for each piece is thoughtfully orchestrated, with Janene considering weather conditions and carefully listening to the fire to control its behavior. By leaving her vessels unglazed, she creates pieces that are distinctly tactile and warmer to touch than conventional glazed ceramics. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions across the UK, including shows at Gallery 57 in Sussex, Birch Tree Gallery in Edinburgh, and various Potfest events throughout Scotland, Cumbria, and Suffolk. Through her art, Janene seeks simplicity and connection to nature, creating pieces that quietly evoke the textures, colors, and moods found in natural landscapes away from urban environments.