Where it all began...
I'd always identified as a maker of some sort, a creative thinker, an artist. But throughout my life I'd always known it wasnt seen as a 'sensible', 'stable' career option. I knew it would be difficult to start a business from scratch and coming straight out of uni I knew that pottery was too uncertain to rely on to pay the bills as I moved to Devon completely on my own. Instead, I became a secondary school Art teacher - a sensible and fairly lucrative choice for someone in my position... or so I thought!
I taught Art for two lovely years, one not so lovely year, and Science for one very bizarre year! As it turns out, teaching is as unstable as it gets.
With a new perspective on life, I realised that if I was ever going to follow my dream of becoming a Potter, there's no time like the present!
In October 2023 I took the plunge and set up my garden studio where I still make all of my work today.
I'm forever greatful to myself for taking a leap of faith into a happier life. I've never looked back! I'm a strong believer that if you have a dream you believe can work, you absolutely must try! You'll never be in the perfect situation to start but the important thing is that you just start. You'll find a way. Good luck!
The Tamar Valley Potter
Ruth Nevin lives in the beautiful Tamar Valley on the Devon-Cornwall border. She studied Decorative Arts at Nottingham Trent University, after an Art Foundation at Loughborough University. Ruth makes work she likes! Inspired by ancient pottery and the bridges between ancient worlds and the modern world she explores in her local landscape in Devon. Such things as standing stones and stone circles as well as the old traditions kept alive in the community such as her village Wassail and the ghost stories of Dartmoor. They all connect her to the past. Pottery itself has changed very little since ancient times and can long outlast its maker. It seems connected to the past and the future, made of the earth itself. Her work has a folk art/ medieval/ rural/ magical and somehow still grounded feel to it that you can't quite put your finger on. The illusive hare, shrew and curlew feature on her work as well as familiar dogs and fish. Movement is important to Ruth, her animals always drawn running across the surface of her wares.
Ruth makes a range of functional and sculptural ceramics designed to be loved within the home. She also works with Vale Farm Pet Crematorium, making bespoke urns.
​
Follow Ruth on Instagram @the.tamar.valley.potter
