Lisa Lovett will soon be working with Made With Many on creative community conversations as part of the Pride in Place programme in Avondale Grange, Kettering.
What kind of artist are you?
I’m a ceramic sculptor, portrait artist, and community heritage practitioner running Earthly Arts Studio. While my commercial stoneware garden designs are sold in 400 garden centres nationwide, my true passion is hand-built sculptural pottery, painting, and working with the community.
My work bridges human history with nature, inspired by local heritage, folklore, and childhood memories of Delapré Abbey. Because art helped me rebuild neural pathways during my own stroke recovery, a major theme in my practice is healing and mental wellness.
I love bringing people together to shape their spaces through inclusive workshops for all ages. I regularly partner with fantastic local charities and organisations like Made With Many and Stanwick Lakes. Ultimately, my goal is to encourage mindful self-expression and help everyone I work with discover their own authentic style.
Clay creations by Lisa Lovett
Where do you find inspiration?
I knew I wanted to be an artist at just four years old when I learnt to draw horses! Creativity runs deep in my family—my Auntie was a ceramic artist who specialized in nature scenes, and as a child, I spent hours playing among the beautiful sculptures in the Delapré Abbey walled garden. Over the years, my practice has been shaped by incredible local mentors like John Luce Lockett, Jean Edwards, and Sorrel Kinley. Today, my main creative sparks come from local heritage and storytelling. Whether I’m curating Roman wall plaster for the Northamptonshire in 100 Days project or committing to daily making through my social media #100gsofclayaday challenge, I am always looking for ways to connect human history with the natural world.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to be an artist in Northamptonshire?
“Keep going.” Following my stroke recovery, I always carry a brilliant piece of advice from my consultant: “You can do anything, apart from fly without a plane.”
Do you have any memories of Made With Many Projects that are important to you?
Play with Clay is how it all started with Made With Manyy all those years ago, and it is so great that after all these years, it is still something that is wanted by the community! I absolutely love taking The Wishing Tree out to meet new people, running those drop-in activities, and seeing how so many people express themselves in completely different ways. Recently, I led a tile-making workshop during Volunteers Week, which I really enjoyed—meeting and talking to the volunteers left me so inspired by their stories.
What is your favourite biscuit or treat?
Scottish Shortbread—plain, simple, and the perfect treat to dunk in a hot cup of tea!
Where can we find you?
You can find me out and about this summer as the Artist in Residence for the Pride in Place Avondale Grange, Kettering consultation!
I’ll be based over at The Green Patch in Kettering, and I will also be popping up at lots of different local community events across the area. My big goal is to connect with people of all ages — I’d love to catch up and hear as many of your stories and visions for the area as possible!
The best place to follow is on my instagram @earthly_arts_studio or Facebook page Earthly Arts Studio
Check out my hashtags #100gofclayaday and #playwithclay, or the website https://www.earthlyartsstudio.com
Small clay sculpture by Lisa Lovett
