Noel Donnellan

Ceramicist

Answering the call of craft

Noel has a wealth of experience across several disciplines from gold leaf to ceramics
He is inspired by his training, materials, nature, and anthropology
He brings his engineering skills into his creative expression

In 2003, Noel Donnellan started his artisan vocation as a decorative artist working across traditional decorative painting, gold leaf application, bas relief scagliola, bespoke commissions for historic monuments, medieval castles, private châteaux and luxury hotels across Europe. In 2016 he co-founded PIGMENTTI, an Irish artisan decoration company with international reach. Through his collaborations with acclaimed interior designers and architects all over the world, Noel has gained vast artistic and project management skills. Formerly a mechanical design engineer, he brings technical knowledge to his craft. In 2023, Noel just finished building his home studio, ready to forge his path forward with his own artistic voice, balancing between sculptural ceramics and decorative painting.

Interview

How did you learn your craft?: After working as a mechanical design engineer for two years, I began studying at Institut Supérieur de Peinture Van Der Kelen-Logelain, Brussels in 2003. Later I studied in specialist technique workshops across Europe learning a wide variety of techniques that I use in my work.
Who has influenced your work?: Too many to name but I would say: studying with David A Smith MBE, Ellen Christiansen, working with Thierry Thenaers, Rebecca Appleby and James Oughtibridge. Of course co-founding PIGMENTTI Ltd with Maestro Paolo Bello plays a huge role. Most recently, training for the Homo Faber Fellowship with Mike Byrne has been a great influence.
What is your process?: I use sketching and maquettes but, most of the time, I delve right in and let the work flow. I find this to be the most creative. Revisiting previous work, analysing it is also very useful, so one process will inform the other, without dictating to it.
What is special about working with clay?: The immediate response of the material to your hands, the different stages of clay and the multitude of techniques. As well as being a global natural material, I plan on harvesting local wild clay to use in my work. Making by hand is everything that I am.

Noel Donnellan is a master artisan: he began his career in 1995 and he started teaching in 2015