I'm Phil Flanagan and I work from my home studio at Goonearl Farm near the north coast of Cornwall.

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I work with stoneware clay and porcelain and produce mainly wheel thrown pieces. My tableware is decorated with colours that reflect my natural surroundings. 

I use a trench in the garden to fire decorative pit-fired pieces. They are packed in the pit and surrounded by sawdust and seaweed which has been washed up on local beaches. This is an ancient method of ceramic firing that is still practiced in traditional societies in Africa, India and the Americas. It creates unique pieces that derive their decoration from local organic materials.

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I grew up in Liverpool and after working in many different places made Cornwall home 20 years ago. Previously I worked for over 30 years as a surgeon, mainly in the NHS and also in Africa and Australia. I feel very fortunate now to have a complete change from surgery although, having always worked with my hands the transition felt natural.

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I opened Goonearl Ceramics in 2018 after developing my skills with courses, individual tuition and working through many bags of clay!

 

I love the outdoor life in Cornwall and enjoy walking, cycling and wild swimming throughout the year. Being close to nature is my constant source of inspiration. 

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