About Lynda

I am a ceramic & mixed media artist living & working in Northumberland, with woodland & beaches in very close proximity.

I find inspiration from Nature, often looking closer to see the textures & patterns or using the very seeds and grasses and incorporating them into the piece.

These all feed my artistic appetite.

I love exploring the potential in natures forms.

My work often incorporates my passion for textures and fabrics, sometimes marrying unlikely materials in one piece.

My influences are many and varied & I frequently explore social or political themes, developing these into ceramic pieces.

I work in a very diverse & organic way developing ideas once I have my hands on the material I am using.

I love texture & like my work to be tactile.

How I got here

I have always loved making & since the age of 7 I have had a love of clay. I was lucky to be at a school where this was offered during our art lessons, so over the years I have dabbled with this material. During an emotional time I turned to Art to give me some time out. I completed my A level in a few arty subjects at Northumberland College then onto a Foundation Degree in Applied Art. This gave me to opportunity to open up my little art shop Doodle Workshops where I offered workshops in various techniques & media, to schools & the community. I loved my little shop which I had for 10 years but then retired. Needing something to occupy me I decided to go back to education where I've now graduated, a BA (Hons) Designer Maker in Glass & Ceramics at University of Sunderland. Chosing this course because of my lifetime love of clay & its also given me a chance to work with glass. You can see some of my journey on my other site www.lyndavusthoff.co.uk.

This site though is dedicated purely to my ceramic work. I believe greatly in the power of art & working with your hands to create as the best therapy in the world & I continue to work & educate others. Look out for my workshops to be offered soon.

My CV

Education
 2018 – Current (2024): BA (Hons) Designer Maker: Glass & Ceramics: University of Sunderland
 2005 - 2009: Foundation Degree in Applied Arts (Commendation): University of Sunderland
 2003 - 2005: A level Fine Art: Fashion & Textiles: Printmaking: Northumberland College, Ashington
 1969 - 1971: Ashington Grammar School 1966 – 1971 O level & GCSE Including maths & English
Work Experience
 2023: Creator of Number One Kirkharle.
 2018 – Current The Canny Little Art Shop. Etsy shop: Online sales
 2015 – Current: Chair Elect of the Board of Network Artists NE Ltd (NANE): Networking for Artists: Creating Opportunities Hubs & Events,
 2016 –2017: The Canny Little Art Company CIC: Retail & Gallery for Local Artists: Director. Art & Craft Facilitator
 2010 –2018: Self Employed Proprietor, Doodle Workshops, Creative workshops for all ages & Art & Craft Materials Retailer: Bricks & mortar shop:
Work Experience – Teaching
 2011 – 2017: After School Art Club at Doodle Workshops: Creative sessions for school age students in all media:
 2014-2016: WEA: Tutor: Crafts Practitioner in a variety of techniques
 2005-2010: Northumberland College, Ashington: Learner Support Assistant: Working with students 16+ & Adult students with additional needs learning Art & local history
Work Experience – Residencies
 2012 – 2015: Artist in residence at The Deputy’s Kist Ashington: Developing the Art side of the business & engaging the community in practical sessions
 2012 – 2019: Cramlington Learning Village: Ceramics Tutor: Challenge Wednesday: years 7/8
 2008: Leonardo Project: Copenhagen: WBL with Potter Karina Skibby:
Work Experience – Commissions
 2015: Northumbria Health Trust: Collaboration with other textile artists to create Tree of Life Installation
 2015: Artist: TV Programme Back to Borstal: Working with the youths on the programme in art sessions
 2015: Full window Artwork: Tacos pizzeria:
 2015: Assembling artwork from Brownie pack into quilt for Brown Owl Retirement gift
Work Experience – Exhibitions
 2017 & 2022: Belford Arts Festival: Exhibitor:
 2014: Highlights Community Tour Exhibition: Textile Stories: BURC (formerly St Pauls Church)
 2008 -2022: Alnmouth Arts Festival: Exhibitor:
Work Experience – Workshops
 2023: Facilitator at Newbiggin Arts Centre, clay workshops, all ages.
 2009-2022: Cramlington Learning Village, Challenge Wednesday clay workshops with years 7&8 students.
 2018 – 2020: Assisting in workshops with students with physical disabilities enabling them to throw on a wheel.
 2017-2018: Collaborator: A Plea for Common Ownership: Heart of the Hirst Community programme
 2015-2018: BRIC Blyth: Facilitator Creative Crafts Adult Workshops: Art, Rug making, Textiles, Card craft, Ceramics, Mixed media
 2015: Volunteer: Woodhorn Colliery Museum: Weeping Window Poppies Exhibition: Installation of Exhibition & engaging with the public
 2014 – 2018: Creative workshops with women offenders through the Probation service: Silk painting, Mosaics, Ceramics, Needlework, Textile Art
 2010-2014: Northern Butterflies, Adults with Learning Difficulties & Mental Health Issues: Art Facilitator making glass & ceramic items for their community garden. Working with clay & fused & cast glass
 2011: St Roberts school Blyth: Transferring the children’s images to silk & making large wall hangings to feature in the school
 2012: Stead Lane Primary School, Bedlington: Ceramic tile project: Year 4 children making tiles for a commemorative installation for the school

My latest projects

My Latest Projects

Platter 2023

This is my lates make in my large platter series.

I've named it 2023 as I've used symbols created by me to illustrate the news & ....... going on in this year.

For example it shows the railway strikes, movement of migrants, fleeing by boats, war, AI & virus mutation to name a few.

I'll release a dictionary of my symbols when I post more pictures as the plate progresses

The Clay Bus

I've recently purchased a bus which I'm in the middle of converting into a mobile studio. This will enable me to take my clay workshops out into the community where I will be able to offer workshops to around 6-8 people.

When not in use as a workshop it will be used as a mobile gallery for my work.

lyndavusthoff@hotmail.co.uk