Wendy's quirky pottery a winner

ELATED: Ceramicist and Friends of Aratoi Art Awards finalist Wendy Groves.

In pottery, the masterpiece you envisioned in your head may turn out differently from what you first planned, says Masterton artist Wendy Groves.

But, it could be shown in a hotly-contested awards show.

Mrs Groves was one of the finalists in the 2015 Friends of Aratoi Art Awards, with her pottery piece 'Bedside Water Jug' being selected for the awards exhibition at Aratoi Museum of Art and History.

The biennial competition is open to all artists throughout Wairarapa, with artists and tutors from King Street Artworks, which Mrs Groves regularly attends, often making an appearance.

In fact, 12 from King Street were chosen for this year's show, displayed in the company of well-known creatives such as Mandy Emerson, Anna-Marie Kingsley, Viv Walker and Sandra Wong.

Grandmother of 15 Mrs Groves, who didn't begin her artistic career until her late 60s, said she was elated to have to have been selected for the exhibition.

"I was a little surprised -- I wasn't sure if my work would be appealing enough but someone clearly appreciated it.

"It's always a thrill when someone says your art is worthy of their admiration."

Mrs Groves said art was one of her favourite subjects at Solway College, but she was discouraged from pursuing it further, as she was told she wouldn't be able to make a living from it.

Instead, she qualified as a medical radiation technologist, and put art on the backburner while raising six children.

In 2008, she decided to pursue art more seriously, so enrolled in a Diploma of Creative Arts, studying at UCOL, Weltec and the Learning Connexion.

She later joined the Masterton Art Club and King Street Artworks where she began dabbling in pottery -- her first sculpture an Emperor penguin.

Since then, she has created a vast array of ceramic animals, jugs, vases, plates and teapots, including one particularly large one she intends to have pour tea at her wake, many of which she has sold.

Her piece at Aratoi was inspired by the jugs usually kept at the bedside in Victorian England, but ended up "looking quite different".

"It ended up getting bigger and bigger, with a much thinner neck than I'd intended," Mrs Groves said.

"You can start off with an idea in your head, but the clay will something get out of shape or go in another direction, and you end up with something completely different.

"You can't always expect perfection, but that's what gives it character -- it's how the artist sees it, not how it's meant to look."

Mrs Groves said she most enjoys the therapeutic aspects of pottery -- which has helped her manage pain from arthritis and old injuries.

"When you're creating, your mind is rested and isn't focussed on physical problems," she said.

"Plus, it's a wonderful way to keep your hands functioning at my age."

Mrs Groves is currently working on a selection of pottery to sell at the Solway College centennial in February.