One Blue Marble    Vaughan Nelson

Like a lot of people, art, for Vaughan, is a way to express himself using something other than words. "To be able to make people feel and think without speaking is my goal,” he explains. "I do believe that I can affect someone with my work, whether it is to bring a smile to their face or to evoke criticism from them.”

He strives to create beauty that is not based on perfection and tries to maintain an organic feel to his work. Rough edges, irregular shapes and imperfect circles are where he finds beauty, "and my work shows these qualities. My work begs to be touched due to the textural effect of the glazes I use."

Many people have influenced Vaughan's work — from Dali to Mondrian to the graphic artists of the Art Deco. "I love the work of the Art Nouveau movement, with their organic shapes and their quest to put life back into art. The Australian Aboriginals with their Dream Time Dot Paintings, Gaudi's buildings, the indians of Oaxaca with their colourful mythical animals and Tiffany’s' glass, it all inspires me,” he says. He also draws inspiration from the oceans and seas he has visited.

His work is particularly inspired by the techniques used by the Aboriginals. Working in stoneware clay, he creates his ceramic pieces by hand. Each dot is applied one by one and then fired in a kiln.

"With vibrant colors and interesting patterns I stimulate the senses and create interest,” he continues. He believes each of the pieces he creates begs to be touched. He embellishes many items with handmade polymer clay beads and finishes them off with glass and stone beads as well as Swarovski crystal beads that compliment each work of art. 

"Part of the fun is letting them take shape as I make them,” he finishes. "I get to let my muse do the driving.”