Latvians see birds as messengers. A lark calls to weddings, a tomtit brings news from soldiers, a nightingale wakes the ploughmen in spring mornings, an oriole is the herald of rain but a corncrake foresees rye harvest. Let it bring the message you're expecting!

I spent my childhood next to a lake in Kurzeme - a place rich in blue clay. My sister and I moulded everything we wanted from it. Then, we dried our creations, painted them with watercolours and coated them with glue for a glossy finish. To this day, I create little birds with love to make their songs more beautiful!

When I was little I saw a film about Latgalian ceramics and still remember the scene with a little boy playing a svilpaunieks. 20 years later and now a potter, I saw the film again and recognised my teacher – the little boy with the whistle. Let the svilpaunieks also bring you pleasant surprises!

I'm from Riga -a city boy. Look up to Riga's church towers! Roosters sit proudly on top of them with the sunshine lighting up their frames. My big brothers are made of gold and copper but I am from clay. Play my song and it will take you back to Riga.