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.
My CV
Current: Milkhope Creatives: Studio + Art, Craft & Gift shop. Based at Milkhope Centre, Blagdon Northumberland
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
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.
