Russell Gibbs slipware, RG mark

Peter Strong, Save Wetheriggs Pottery: wrote:In 1984 Russell attended Cumbria School of Art in order to learn how to make pottery, and worked with Jim Malone who was a lecturer there then, along with Mike Dodd, who was Head of Art. Jim and Peter Strong knew one another as they were both on the Ceramics B.A. at Camberwell together, in the 1970s. Russell was really drawn to Country Pottery, so Jim knowing that Peter was dedicated solely to Country Pottery, suggested Russell went down to Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales, for some work experience in the holidays. Russell loved the work, and when he eventually completed his Art School course, he came back straight away to continue his training and apprenticeship at Clapham with Peter. Eventually, after several years, the whole business removed to Wetheriggs, this was over thirty years ago. Over several years, with his fantastic enthusiasm, Russell had now become a skilled clay digger and processor, ,thrower and bigware, decorator, garden-ornament mould maker, glazer, kiln-packer and firer, next he became foreman, and then manager.
These days Russell, who is also a proud Dad with a young son called Isaac (after Isaac Button), travels to various potteries in this country and abroad contracting out his skills, he now also has his own workshop and a retail outlet in Cheddar in Somerset. He is, without doubt, one of the most highly skilled potters and flowerpot makers in England, and the living embodiment of a traditional 'journeyman' Country Potter, he fears nothing.