two heads are better than one...

October is racing away with us already. So with Halloween getting ready to descend upon us, I thought it was the perfect time for a wee look at some creepy ceramics. It’s been a while.

Although to be fair these are not really that creepy or sinister, they remind me of a creature you would find in a Studio Ghibli film. No Face springs especially to mind.

They are the work of ceramic artist Anastassia Zamaraeva who is living and making in Greater Manchester. All of her work is handbuilt without the use of a potters wheel, this adds a little perfect imperfection - just how she likes it. Me too!

This black stoneware figure is part of a series of imagined mythological creatures. It is made from coarse unglazed black clay with decorative porcelain patterns around the two heads. It is glazed internally with a neutral coloured glaze that allows it to hold water so it can be used to display flowers.

She also makes the most charming little yoga figures. The older I get, the stiffer I get. I’m doing tai chi againbut starting to wonder if I should also give yoga a try.

Lady Lisa is taking a teaching qualification so I shall wait until she is ready and then she can enjoy the challenge of trying to get me into a warrior pose…

Queen Marie