Michael Taylor is a ceramicist based in rural North Devon, about a mile from the village of Ashwater. He began making pottery full-time in Holsworthy in 2008. Along with his wife, Yvonne they built their current workshop in 2013. Michael makes the pots, Yvonne does the finishing, packing and keeps Michael ‘organised’.

Michael’s work is stoneware, fired in electric and gas kilns which give different glaze effects. He produces a wide range of domestic ware from extra small bowls and espresso mugs, to very large one-off asymmetric bowls.

Michael makes a range of work exclusive to David Mellor Design in London, Chelsea and Marylebone High Street and Hathersage, Derbyshire. Michael's other ranges are available in galleries throughout the Southwest as well as Ruthin, Wales, Bluecoat, and Liverpool.

Michael makes pottery every day, sometimes at weekends, and it’s not unusual for him to throw 200 items in a day. No two days are the same, the kiln room is generally full of mugs, bowls and other tableware for orders. During the months before Christmas, both kilns can be firing six days per week. Michael throws and turns every piece of work, however, has said “I couldn’t make as much as I do without Yvonne”. Yvonne does some of the glazing and finishes of the pieces once they are out of the kiln, she also does all the wrapping and packing of the large orders.

Michael studied ceramics at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, graduating in 1984.