BIOGRAPHY
My name is Carol Watkins. I took up pottery in 2003 as a creative outlet, towards the end of a busy career in Human Resources and Marketing Management and then managing my own successful Recruitment Consultancy in Brisbane.
I was born in Cairns, North Queensland and now live at Black Mountain, Cooroy in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. As a volunteer, I currently serve on the Management Committee of the Cooroy Future Group Inc, and am Chair of the Committee of the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. In 2017, after 11.5 years I resigned from the role of Deputy Local Controller of the Noosa State Emergency Service (SES). In 2014 I was awarded the Minister's Cup and named State Member of the Year for the SES, indeed an honour.
I work from my studio at home and do workshops with visiting tutors, something I particularly enjoy as I am able to learn new techniques and exchange ideas with other potters. I make most of my glazes and love the many challenges that pottery provides.
‘You just keep learning and surprisingly, pottery is quite technical’.
Atmospheric firing is messy and the results can be quite joyous or disappointing. There is a lot of experimentation involved and the sense of anticipation can be immense. There are a number of types of saggar firing where pots are usually burnished and fired within a variety of types of chamber. The results can be quite breathtaking.
A participant in the annual Noosa Open Studios event since the inaugural event in 2016 and as President in 2022
Exhibitions
‘Ignition’ 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018, a national exhibition held on the Sunshine Coast every two years.
‘Tribe’ an exhibition at Rosebed St Gallery, Eudlo in September 2012.
‘FireWorks’ at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre in September 2010 as a member of Claymates, a group of potters from the Northern end of the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast University.
Kenilworth Art Space.
Main Street Gallery, Montville.
Mt Uncle Distillery, on the Wine and Food Trail on the Cairns Highlands.
As part of Claymates, at the Pomona Carriage Gallery in November 2012.
'A Taste of Art' at Noosa Regional Gallery in April 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
'Coastal Collage' at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre in July 2013 as a member of Claymates.
As part of the POP UP ART Exhibitions at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, May to December 2015; and as POP UP Artist of the Month during October and November.
In 'Shapes and Scapes' at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre in January/February 2018.
The annual Butter Factory Friends exhibition at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
February 2020, in conjuction with award winning 2D Artist Pam Miller, at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
At ‘Local Artists, Local Content’ exhibition, Caloundra Regional Gallery in 2022.
‘Coastal Nuances’ at Cooroy Butter Factory in February 2023 with 2D artists Bronwyn Barton and Charlotte Wensley.
A participant in the annual Noosa Open Studios event since the inaugural event in 2016 and as President in 2022.