The Ceramic Botanist by Louise Condon Designs

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About Me

Louise Condon – Ceramic Botanist

I’ve always been drawn to the natural world — fascinated by wild plants, unusual flowers, shells, pebbles, and found objects that reflect the ever-changing seasons. I love to be out exploring and collecting – observing nature closely and bringing those small, often overlooked details into my work.

My ceramic pieces are tactile and expressive, capturing the life, structure, and form of plants at a particular moment in time. Each is individually handmade using grogged stoneware and crank clays, with pressed botanicals that reveal the quiet complexity of nature — from the bare bones of winter seed heads to the lush fullness of a summer bloom. Through careful composition, layered texture, and subtle oxide finishes, I aim to honour each plant’s natural beauty without overwhelming it.

For me, it’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about preservation, celebration, and connection. Wildflowers are disappearing across the British countryside and in our cities, yet they play such an important role in supporting bees, butterflies, and birdlife. Through my work, I hope to raise awareness of their value and create meaningful pieces that connect people to the landscapes around them.

There’s also a thread of nostalgia and memory running through my practice — rooted in childhood experiences of collecting, exploring, and noticing. Nature has always been a space of curiosity and comfort, and creating with clay gives me a way to channel that passion.

My Journey

My path began with a BTEC GNVQ in Art and Design, where I was lucky to be taught by inspiring tutors who encouraged me to observe, record, and experiment freely — in both 2D and 3D forms. I fell in love with clay, glass, and plaster the very first time I used them. The process of ceramics — the risk, the surprise, the emotion of opening the kiln — hooked me straight away. It still does.

I went on to complete a degree in Design Crafts at the North Wales Institute of Art + Design (NEWI), specialising in ceramics. This was a big challenge and a huge personal achievement, pushing me to grow as both a maker and thinker. After graduating in 2000, I trained as a teacher (PGCE) and began sharing my passion through community projects, workshops, and college courses.

I’ve now been teaching Art & Design at West Cheshire College since 2000, delivering everything from Level 1 to 3 courses and adult leisure classes. Teaching is incredibly important to me — it’s about encouraging others to take risks, explore their creativity, and see the value in the arts. I believe creative education should be championed, celebrated, and made accessible to all.

My Studio

My studio sits at the bottom of the garden — a long narrow space filled with plants, pressed botanicals, and a mixture of recycled shelving and tools. It houses a potter’s wheel, slab roller, workbenches, and two top-loading kilns. Throughout the year, I collect seasonal flowers and foliage to use in winter when the garden rests.

And I’m never alone — my loyal workshop assistant, Smokey the double doodle, is always by my side.

If you’d like to know more about my process or explore a commission, you’re always welcome to get in touch. Whether it’s a personal memory, a celebration, or a quiet tribute to nature — I’d love to create something special for you.

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