CHILLINGTON-based artist Sandy Litchfield will be sharing her pewter, copper and enamelled wares with visitors to the South Hams this October.

One of 51 artists on the annual Arts Trail, run by the South Hams Arts Forum, Sandy’s work will be available for viewing at Market Hall in Fore Street, Kingsbridge, between Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 23.

The artist herself will also be there for much of the time to talk about her chosen art forms and her love of working with metal and enamel to produce pieces that reflect her coastal environment.

‘My pieces are inspired by the geology of the South Hams coastline. Each piece is a unique representation of the shapes, colours and textures found on the shoreline,’ said Sandy.

‘I am inspired by geological formations, cracks, creases and crevices, forged by heat and pressure, and the contrast of the cool, flowing lines of pewter. I am able to recreate the textures and shapes by manipulating the metal, and then bring colour to the pieces with the use of patination and enamels.’

This former primary school teacher, mother-of-three and grandmother became a student at the age of 63 when she studied for a BA Hons in applied arts at Plymouth College of Art. The other students, most of whom were a good four decades younger, warmly welcomed her and enjoyed working alongside.

Sandy turned her attention to working with pewter in the final year of her degree. It was a material she was familiar with having been to house sales with her father, who was an auctioneer and valuer.

‘I wanted to use a new metal and was attracted to the lead-free pewter of modern times, which does not oxidise. I was not popular in the workshop at college though as the machines were used for copper, silver and gold and I kept clogging up the grinding machines!’

So she now works from a workshop in her home, where she produces her beautiful range of 3D artwork that she describes as ‘heirlooms of the future’.

Her work can be seen at Alverton Gallery in Penzance after she was invited to exhibit there following a previous Arts Tail. Meanwhile, 50 engraved English pewter dishes made by Sandy can be found at universities around the world. Following her successful commission application, these recruitment mementoes show appreciation for the international students who attend Plymouth University from universities overseas.

A member of the Association of British Pewter Craftsmen and associate craftsman of the Guild of Enamellers, Sandy has been a member of SHAF since its infancy and has taken part in numerous Arts Trails.

‘The Arts Trail is an opportunity to share a public space with other artists and to introduce your work to the lovely people who live in the South Hams or people who happen to be visiting that week. I guess the primary school teacher and mature student comes out of to me and I enjoy educating people about what I do and the art form I love so much.’

More information can be found on this year’s Arts Trail at www.shaf.org.uk.