A woman with platinum blonde hair and earrings, focused on decorating a white ceramic vase with blue lines using a blue marker in a craft workshop.

About

Inspired by her grandmother’s Willow Pattern collection, Rhian Malin continues the ancient tradition of hand-painting porcelain with cobalt-blue and touches of 24-carat gold lustre.

Her elegant, wheel-thrown vessels become contemporary canvases for her geometric designs, which are meticulously mapped out by eye onto each vessel to accentuate their tapering forms. The result is a fresh interpretation of the much-loved, and often nostalgic, combination of blue and white ceramics.

Rhian now makes from her studio at The Stoneleigh Arms in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Having previously won support from the Crafts Council UK through their prestigious Hothouse Programme in 2016, she has since gone on to be awarded: Selected Member of the Craft Potters Association (since 2021), Highly Commended Newcomer Award at Ceramic Art London, 'Best Ceramics' at the Contemporary Craft Festival, 'Best New Business' at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Festival & Winner of Bils & Rye Emerging Potters Exhibition.

Rhian Graduated from Camberwell College of Art in 2014 with a degree in BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design.

Two decorative white vases with black geometric patterns and a white flower on light-colored surface against a dark blue background.

Process

If you are interested in seeing more of the process behind how I make my work, then please watch this short film by R&A Collaborations or see the photos below…

Three decorative vases with blue and white intricate patterns on a light gray background.
Close-up of a person's hand drawing geometric patterns with a pencil on porcelain
A white ceramic vase with blue line patterns and a black lid.
Close-up of a person using a blue marking pen to draw circular patterns on a cylindrical object.
White ceramic vase with blue line art design resembling abstract floral and geometric patterns.
Three ceramic bottles with blue floral and geometric patterns, black caps, against a plain white background.
A woman with gray hair sits on a green tufted leather couch, painting intricate designs on a round ceramic object with a small brush. She wears a striped shirt and has a gentle smile. Behind her, colorful decorated items are visible, including a vibrant tapestry or cushion.
Set of five white ceramic vases with blue geometric patterns on a light gray background.
White ceramic vase with blue circular and line patterns, featuring a few gold accents, placed on a plain gray background.
Set of six vases with white and blue striped patterns, arranged on a plain surface against a plain background.
Seven white bottles with black caps, each decorated with blue floral patterns, arranged in a row on a white background.
A woman is carefully designing on a white cylindrical object, possibly a ceramic or porcelain pipe, using a blue marker, with a close focus on her careful work.
A table lamp with a blue shade and a striped ceramic base on a wooden table near a window, with a small glass vase holding a flower and books beside it, and a large green potted plant in the background.
Seven white ceramic vases with blue geometric patterns, arranged in a row on a light gray background.
A wooden side table with two decorative vases, one with a grid pattern and dried flowers, next to a white wall and beige curtains.
White ceramic plate with intricate blue geometric floral pattern