Meet The Maker: Jane Tyler

Who are you, where are you from and what do you make?

My name is Jane Tyler, living in East Sussex and working mainly in ceramics. I hand build and paint bowls, vases, platters and large sculptural candlesticks.

What inspires you?

Everything – museums, archaeology, travel, film, literature, Greek mythology…

What is your workshop luxury?

My luxury is the view from my studio. I’m lucky enough to live at the top of a hill with great vistas towards the South Downs.

Your favourite studio lunch?

I usually make a big salad from whatever is in the vegetable patch followed by some dark chilli chocolate.

Best spot in the British Isles?

Not strictly British Isles, but my favourite spot is Derrynane, a remote village on the South West coast of Ireland where my husband has a little cottage by the sea. We love to sit on the cliffs and watch for dolphins and minke whales.

What do you find challenging about being a creative?

Spending too much time on my own, and not being able to think about much else other than what I’m going to make next!

What would you like to learn next?

My next project is learning how to make a raku oven so I can do raku firings at home. The few firings I have done elsewhere have produced some great results, and the whole process is really exciting and unpredictable.

How do you let your hair down?

By swimming in the sea – I love it!

What are you listening to at the moment?

My daughter is in Deep Throat Choir and I’m listening to their latest album ‘In Order to Know You’. I also can’t stop listening to Franco Battiato singing ‘Voglio Vederti Danzare’, an amazing song which lifts my spirits and transports me straight back to Italy where I lived in the 80’s.

What makes you feel well chuffed?

When people connect with my work and tell me that it brings them joy. I always love seeing photos of my ceramics in peoples’ homes.