Derek is a ceramic artist and production potter based on Vancouver Island. His journey with clay began in college, where a single ceramics course sparked a lasting passion for the craft. Since then, he has immersed himself in the practice, developing his skills through countless hours at the wheel. Over the past year, Derek has worked as a production ceramist in a local studio, an experience that has sharpened his technique and deepened his understanding of functional design.

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Guided by a minimalist, Japanese-inspired aesthetic, Derek creates sleek and functional wares that bring a sense of calm and elegance to everyday rituals. His pieces are intentionally designed to feel smooth, light, and effortless in the hands—objects meant to be lived with and used daily rather than admired from a distance.

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While primarily self-taught beyond his early studies, Derek’s dedication to repetition and refinement has cultivated a meditative rhythm in his wheel work. He continues to explore new approaches to the firing process, drawing inspiration from his experiences with raku and an eagerness to experiment with traditional methods such as wood and gas firing.

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For Derek, ceramics is not only about form and function, but also about the quiet moments of connection that handmade objects can bring into people’s lives.