HelenaRay

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HelenaRay Female artist based in New Zealand.

Lines on the beach in spirula spirula shells.
07/10/2026

Lines on the beach in spirula spirula shells.

Small vase pressed with Spirula spirula shells collected from my home beach and woodfired during my residency at Driving...
06/09/2026

Small vase pressed with Spirula spirula shells collected from my home beach and woodfired during my residency at Driving Creek Pottery.
This piece was glazed with chun blue on the inside and dolomite on the outside, it came out with a surprise pink blush.

Studio treasures collected about the coromandel bays. Sea glass, stones and of course lots of oyster shells.Time enjoyed...
01/09/2026

Studio treasures collected about the coromandel bays. Sea glass, stones and of course lots of oyster shells.

Time enjoyed squatting on the shores with like minded fossickers ‘ooing’ and ‘ahhing’ over pebbles and small quartz - how human.

My phone actually fell from my pocket on one of these beach adventures, only to be found tides later already nestled within the stones and shells - it eventually turned on, dragging me back online but I didn’t take many photos after that…

Studio treasures collected about the coromandel bays. Sea glass, stones and of course lots of oyster shells.Time enjoyed...
01/09/2026

Studio treasures collected about the coromandel bays. Sea glass, stones and of course lots of oyster shells.

Time enjoyed squatting on the shores with like minded fossickers ‘ooing’ and ‘ahhing’ over pebbles and small quartz - how human.
My phone actually fell from my pocket on one of these beach adventures, only to be found tides later already nestled within the stones and shells - it eventually turned on, dragging me back online but I didn’t take many photos after that..

Rimu Pot made from clay dug from the land at Driving Creek Pottery and inlayed with porcelain. The local clay they call ...
30/08/2026

Rimu Pot made from clay dug from the land at Driving Creek Pottery and inlayed with porcelain. The local clay they call ‘coro gold’ fired to a beautiful rusty orange with flecks of melted rocks through out and can offer darker orange/pink/red tones depending on the firing conditions.

During my residency I continued my exploration of mark making and landed on these delicate lined forms reflecting the rimu branches I love so much. I love the way they contrast with the varying tones and textures of the unglazed clay.

1) Soda fired porcelain mobile pieces fired between p**i shells. 2) Glazed mobile pieces glued into stacks with assorted...
25/08/2026

1) Soda fired porcelain mobile pieces fired between p**i shells.

2) Glazed mobile pieces glued into stacks with assorted shell spacers - ready for soda firing.

3) Soda fired brown clay pieces with red wash and shino glaze - green markings left by shells and soda/ash

One of my challenges during my residency at Driving Creek Pottery was how do I fire kinetic mobile pieces and create colour variations and glaze on both sides of the pieces without them sticking together or to the kiln shelves?

Here I have used shells which not only act as a spacer between the pieces but add interesting impressions and flashing marks as the shells turn into calcium oxide during firing, releasing salt and minerals which react with the clay.
Once fired and soaked in water the shells disintegrate and if you’re lucky - release the pieces from each other whole.

Driving up the coast, past the campervans and fishermen I pull over at my father’s old house - it’s now baby pink but hi...
24/08/2026

Driving up the coast, past the campervans and fishermen I pull over at my father’s old house - it’s now baby pink but his buddha is still looking over the sea on the other side of the road. With the offering of a silver halfcrown (his favourite) and pieces of sea glass I asked for courage and carried onwards to the small town of Coromandel.
Nervous and bubbling with excitement I arrive at Driving Creek. Met by a handful of inspiring artists (soon to be inspiring friends) already busy in various stages of their residencies ‘We’re having soup for dinner, don’t cook!’ they say and with that I become part of the fold.
My residency begins; exploring the train tracks and forest, slowing down from work and adjusting to a rhythm; chilly mornings, wrapped in everything warm you owned (slowly accumulating clay on cuffs and thighs), coffee in hand, up the brick steps and over the sweet bridge to the wonderful shared studio up high from where we welcomed the warm sun as it came over the hill. A day full of creating and playing with clay (listening to Aldous on repeat) and then when the sun has set (taking with it my energy) back down to the homely kitchen (stained glass, recycled native timber, odd cups and family table) to a warm fire and a shared meal.

Driving up the coast, past the campervans and fishermen I pull over at my father’s old house - it’s now baby pink but hi...
24/08/2026

Driving up the coast, past the campervans and fishermen I pull over at my father’s old house - it’s now baby pink but his buddha is still looking over the sea on the other side of the road. With the offering of a silver halfcrown (his favourite) and pieces of sea glass I asked for courage and carried onwards to the small town of Coromandel.
Nervous and bubbling with excitement I arrive at Driving Creek. Met by a handful of inspiring artists (soon to be inspiring friends) already busy in various stages of their residencies ‘We’re having soup for dinner, don’t cook!’ they say and with that I become part of the fold.
My time begins; exploring the train tracks and forest, slowing down from work and adjusting to a rhythm; chilly mornings, wrapped in everything warm you owned (slowly accumulating clay on cuffs and thighs), coffee in hand, up the brick steps and over the sweet bridge to the wonderful shared studio up high from where we welcomed the warm sun as it came over the hill.

Red hills every morning Driving Creek Pottery
01/07/2026

Red hills every morning Driving Creek Pottery

Shadows on the wall
21/12/2025

Shadows on the wall

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25A Titirangi Road
Auckland
1021

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