Ralph Jeffress first became interested in pottery while training as a teacher in Brisbane, where he met, and was influenced by, Carl McConnell. Moving to Canberra in 1967, he continued to teach himself to pot, finding a backyard studio in Young to work in with the help of Henri Le Grand. From 1972-75, he taught pottery at the Canberra School of Art, before setting himself up as a full-time potter in rented industrial space in Queanbeyan. After a year, he moved his studio to Gundaroo, NSW, then returned to the ACT to studios at Farrer, Curtin and Fyshwick, before giving up pottery in 1986. His works are marked with an impressed or painted 'RJ' and may also be signed 'R. Jeffress'.