In episode 31 of An Art to It, ceramicist Deborah Harwood joins me from her beautiful studio on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. Deborah shares her remarkable creative journey: from growing up part of deeply artistic family, her late father, is the acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, Ronald Harwood, (The Dresser, Quartet, The Pianist) to working for over a decade as an agent representing some of the UK's most acclaimed writers, directors and set designers, and to then, in her 50s, finding her creative passion in porcelain.

We talk about how creativity shaped her early years, and how Deborah missed the opportunity to study under internationally renowned ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff https://www.felicityaylieff.com/  who was the art and ceramics teacher at her school - opting for jewellery instead, a decision she laughingly calls a huge mistake in hindsight. 

After she left her career in London, Deborah’s first creative foray was in textiles - a medium she chose more from circumstances than passion - and how that lead to her discovering ceramics and ultimately porcelain. 

In our entertaining and moving chat Deborah speaks openly about navigating cancer, what success means to her now, gives her perspective on navigating the highs and lows of running a creative business, and shares why she believes calling herself an artist is something we should all feel confident in doing. 

www.deborahharwood.com

@deborahharwoodceramics