Although Jennie McCall was raised in the heart of the Scottish Borders, her affinity for the east coast’s rugged landscapes was deeply felt. The shoreline held special significance for Jennie, rooted in her family heritage, as both maternal and paternal ancestors hailed from these coastal regions. Childhood days were frequently spent gathering treasures washed ashore—driftwood, pebbles, and other sea gifts—which nurtured her relationship with the sweeping vistas of sea and sky. The sensory experience of the tides, with their ceaseless ebb and flow, left a profound and enduring impression, shaping her connection to the natural world and becoming a lasting part of her creative consciousness.

Jennie McCall’s creative process is defined by her use of both stoneware and porcelain clay, allowing her to combine the robust textures of stoneware with the delicate translucency of porcelain. This thoughtful blend gives her work a distinctive character that reflects the subtle qualities of coastal environments.

Utilising traditional hand-building techniques, Jennie begins by rolling and coiling the clay. She carefully stacks the coils onto a slab base, then bonds each layer using the method of score and slip. This approach not only provides structural integrity but also allows for expressive shaping and smoothing of the vessels.