Esther Coombs

Esther Coombs is a practicing artist living and working in Hampshire. She believes life is a story and that narrative is best told with drawings.

After graduating from Middlesex University in 2003 Esther has worked in a variety of environments, including vintage retail and museums such as the V&A, before acknowledging the pull that drew her back to drawings and up-cycling.

A corner stone of Esther's practice, the Drawn on Ceramics collection, ranges from the smallest, sweet little tea cups right through to cake stands which are suitable as a statement piece in a modern space or a functional stand for a wedding cup cake tower. They make wonderful additions to any part of your home, not only the kitchen, and the layers can be filled with anything from your favorite earrings to powder puffs.

The Esther Coombs Drawn on Ceramics range has established itself as a new force in the medium of ceramics, receiving acclaim in national magazines and major craft shows. Esther says:

"I have found people want objects in their home that, in addition to being beautiful, are useful and have a story. The cake stands are a particularly pretty way of giving a new lease of life to unwanted crockery."

"What makes my work unique is both its physical and narrative qualities-I find vintage pieces and rewrite their stories by adding my own with my illustrations. This up-cycling has captured the attention of both critics and consumers, but while I'm happy to be running a successful business, my main aim is to transform lost gems into new, desirable items."

"While good art doesn't necessarily have to be socially conscious, it's always been important to me to up-cycle. The process of re-purposing used materials is central to my artistic goals. Each teacup and plate I find at a boot sale or charity shop is an object that already has its own narrative. When I draw directly on that object (I never use transfers or prints) my illustrations join the old story with new. Each vintage and forgotten object is reinvented here."

"This philosophy of reusing and recycling extends to every aspect of my business-my shipping materials are secondhand, recycled or compostable, my printing is on sustainably sourced card. Our planet is full of stuff, and much of it is still quite lovely and has much to give before it's forgotten. My customers seem delighted to choose a repurposed piece of art over a new, mass-produced one, art-lovers and design conscience buyers don't want cheap – they want unique."

Prices range from: £24 - £133

Small Plate

Small Green Plate

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