Louise Crookenden Johnson

Based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Louise creates joyful ceramics with a sense of nostalgia. Her slab-built pieces, featuring bright, contemporary illustrations, draw inspiration from the simple pleasures of her surroundings – the birds in her garden, countryside walks, and visits to the seaside.

Growing up in a creative household, Louise was positively encouraged in her artistic pursuits by her father, the well-respected local painter and illustrator, Rodney Ingram.

This early inspiration led her to pursue a Degree in Ceramics at Loughborough College of Art in the early 1990s. After university, she worked as an artist in residence and ran her own ceramics business before dedicating time to raising her children. Now back in her purpose-built Kettering studio, Louise enjoys creating pieces that people treasure and use, offering bespoke commissions for special occasions alongside her signature collections.

Alongside her making practice, Louise shares her passion for clay, particularly with beginners in her ‘throw a pot’ potters wheel classes, in her welcoming studio space always accompanied by the sounds of BBC Radio 3!