MELANIE O'DONNELL - Ceramic artist

The best thing about creating ceramics is the way you can get lost in another world.

- Catherine Coyle

It's a world of complete creativity, which takes its own twists and turns as it progresses, depending on the type of clay or decorative surface. The permanence of ceramics appeals to me. I like the fact that, years from now, the pieces will remain.

I grew up in Troon, on the west coast, and my dad's family were a musical and artistically creative lot, particularly my Aunt Joyce, and they always encouraged me to follow my creative endeavours. They showed me that art was very important and relevant, when the pressure in school at that time was to go into science or maths. I went to Glasgow School of Art and specialised in ceramics. There, I discovered a love of working with clay, and in 3D, using my hands as creative tools. Now, I'm an art teacher as well as a ceramic artist. I'm inspired by the young people I teach art to in a Glasgow ASN [additional support needs] secondary school. It's such a treat to see their beautiful expressive work that is made unself-consciously and is always so full of life.