Plaques have proved popular in today's fine art market with many of the well known names like Moorcroft and Royal Worcester now entering the field. This was Steve's first limited edition release although both he and Terry have, in fact, painted plaques for many years as one off pieces, some of them quite large (do we see a prestige piece here sometime in the future?)

This 7 x 5 inch plaque features a pair of Common Frogs. The smaller male is on the left. Our Common Frog is most readily recognised by the patch behind the eye and the barred legs, although its colour can vary in shades of green, yellow and brown.

Steve has painted this pair so that they stand out as though illuminated by moonlight against a dark background. This is an unusual and attractive piece - one wonders whether frogs have ever appeared before on hand painted china! One of the aims of Steve's new venture is to bring a fresh and modern approach to a traditional craft.

The title of the piece, "Pond Mates", seemed very appropriate for the wistful look Steve has captured in the eyes of this pair. Perhaps in the future we shall see a short series of "Mates" involving different species?