Midnight Rain: A Horse Head Inspired by the New Forest

Growing up in the New Forest, horses were part of the everyday rhythm of life — roaming freely, grazing quietly in the early morning light, often just beyond the hedgerows. That sense of freedom and connection with the land stayed with me, and it has found its way into my work time and time again.

One piece that holds a special place in my heart is an abstract ceramic sculpture of a horse’s head, captured mid-motion as it eats. It’s not a literal representation, but rather an impression — the gentle curve of the neck, the tilt of the head, the suggestion of movement and calm. I wanted to express not just the form of the horse, but its presence — peaceful, grounded, and quietly powerful.

The glaze I chose is called Midnight Rain — deep, layered, and full of subtle texture. It gives the piece a sense of depth and mood, echoing the cool tones of a forest evening after a summer storm. The sculpture is mounted on a solid wooden plinth, anchoring it and offering a tactile contrast to the glossy ceramic surface.

This piece is both a memory and a tribute — to the landscape of my childhood, and to the quiet nobility of the animals who shaped it.