Mary- Lou Pittard (1960- ) began exhibiting in the early 1980s while studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Philip Institute of Technology, which she completed in 1983. From 1987-1992, she operated a ceramics studio with a part-time staff of five making domestic ware but now works as a solo artist specialising in porcelain decorated in floral designs and patterns with rich colours. Her husband Chris and daughter Jessie both also work with clay and share her workshop in North Eltham. Mary-Lou's work is marked with a painted 'MLP' or 'MLou' or 'MLou Pittard'.