Originally from Bremen in Germany, Ursula came to the UK to study Ceramics at Bath Academy of Art. She worked for Alan Caiger-Smith at The Aldermaston Pottery in the late 80's learning and practising wood-fired tin-glaze and calligraphic brushwork, and then, in the early 2000's, worked independently alongside Alan in The Pottery, Aldermaston.
Ursula makes a range of functional and decorative earthenware. This technique is traditionally referred to as Maiolica; a technique still used in Spain, Italy and France, which is also a cousin of blue-and-white Delft Ware. Red earthenware clay is the base making medium, which is then dipped into a tin-glaze providing the light background for the painting.
Ursula's work is predominantly thrown on the potter's wheel, with square and oblong dishes made by press moulding. Everything is brush-decorated free-hand using watercolour and chisel brushes, with colours chosen from a palette of natural oxides and bright stains.
The designs are executed in a mixture of calligraphic brushwork, a latex resist technique and sgraffito. The latter is line drawing done with a sharp instrument into the painted oxide exposing the white glaze underneath.
Ursula draws inspiration from the rich collections of historical Maiolica and also from Persian and Chinese designs. The subject matter is mostly taken from nature with leaf, tree and flower shapes subtly abstracted.
'I try to make useful and beautiful items that people love to use and treasure.'