Charlotte Blake is an artist based in Poole. Her work is based around her quirky illustrations and ceramics. She is also our first ever Featured Artist!

When?

Early Sunday mornings

Why?

Got to get there early to get the bargains.

What?

Carboot sale with my Dad.

What do you like to make most?

Pieces that make people laugh.  Humour is a really important part of my work.  I feel industrial techniques are most effective for my pieces, so I create my own slip cast forms to apply ceramic prints to.

Favourite smell?

Freshly laundered clothes, I’m partial to a bit of Lenor!

Where would you like your creative career to take you?

Eventually I would like to reach a point whereby I am able to live comfortably on just making my ceramics.  I think I would still like to teach though as I feel working with a wide variety of people inspires my work.

Where has it taken you?

So far it has taken me into teaching and illustration. I have been able to develop a lot of techniques and my style through that.

Tea or coffee and how?

Black Lady Grey, darling

Favourite local artist/artists?

I’m a big fan of Keira Rathbone the typewriter artist.  I am drawn to anything that shows innovative ideas or use of techniques.

What are the best and worst things about being an artist here?

Best – Being a relatively small close knit community.
Worst- Being a relatively small close knit community.

If you knew you wouldn’t get caught what naughty thing might you do?

Lick cakes in shops and put them back!

Marmite?

Dirty word.

Elvis?

Always

What are you selling and where right now?

I will be selling at the next Art Boot sale at the Kube on May 30th.

Other than money what do you get from your work?

Enjoyment, I like to see my ceramics making people titter!

Favourite cake?

Dorset Apple cake

Who or what inspired you?

Elvis, old knitting patterns and my friend Paul.  Paul and I would sit for hours amusing ourselves by drawing silly illustrations of animals and then putting captions with them.  My work then developed from these.

How good are you at dancing?

I am amazing dancer; you ought to see me move!  I’m currently learning Tap and Burlesque.  I have done some Burlesque performances on stage and in future I may combine it with Tap!  I am thinking of creating a series of ceramics involving hamsters and nipple tassels.  Introducing……Hammy von Tease?!

Favourite meal?

Mum’s roast pork.

What is your favourite dog?

Springer Spaniels, they’re bonkers as conkers!

Did you have a security blanket or similar?

George, a very small stuffed dog who now has no eyes and nose after my mum washed him and put him in the tumble dryer.  It is still a sore point.