Blog
Hailstorms, Sunshine and Birds
Hailstones batter the workshop roof, the wind gusting them in swirls. Moments later the sun shines. It is the cycle of this morning. Between each stormy bout the birds appear and resume their activity, some brave the hail battering anyway to forage and feed. And sing. And court and pair. And flit and wag. […]
Barclays Bird sculpture
This is Barclays Bird – a sculpture carved in Portland Limestone. The stone I used for carving Barclays Bird was from a large pallet load I purchased last year. I learned that the stone was destined for the tip, or to be crushed, and I thought it really should be re-used or re-cycled […]
Mother Nature
Though I don’t believe nature requires personification, a popular belief in the middle ages that it be represented as mother, focusing on the life-giving, nurturing aspects, today (on Mothering Sunday) I celebrate Mother Nature. And my own mother of course!
Bursts of Spring
The hedgerows are changing, hints of the first fresh green growth, buds just bursting with brave new leaf. All around I’m noticing a difference – this morning is bright sunshine after an icy, frosty start and the celandines have already opened their glossy yellow petals. Honeysuckle leaves push forward at every junction of […]
In the Workshop today – Lapwing sculpture
I can hear Lapwings calling as I carve. A couple of weeks ago I saw a sole bird and rejoiced its return to my little area of the North York Moors – Lapwings nest in the fields above my workshop. The wind was high, and the Lapwing was buffeted in the sky, and I […]
Bird Sculpture – a pair of Quails
Quails are distinctive due to the combination of their stocky bodies and long, pointed wings. Their upperparts are brown, streaked and barred with buff, while their underparts are a warm, buffy orange. In the UK they are a migrant bird and can be found in low-lying parts of northern England as a summer visitor. […]
Watermark Gallery in Harrogate
Yesterday I delivered a small collection of stone pieces to the Watermark Gallery in Harrogate, just in time for a celebration of their opening in the evening. It was a delight to meet owner Liz Hawkes and see her new gallery. Liz is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the art and sculptural pieces […]
In the Workshop today – all about Sandstone
Birdlets carved in Sandstone – a row of birds going about their business, being busy, conversing, doing bird things. I do love carving this stone, it somehow helps me get the expression in my sculpture that is me, that is about my experience of wildlife. My view is that there is nothing at all […]
A talk about my carving process
The Middleton, Aislaby and Wrelton WI invited me to give a talk at their meeting last night. We all met at the wonderful Middleton Village Hall – which is situated next to the Village Pond. It was so lovely to meet everyone and get to know the group. I loved hearing the stories of […]
Cherty Bird sculpture
My latest sculpture of a bird carved in Portland Limestone – I managed to get a couple of pictures of it between wintry showers and the bitter wind threatening to blow me over. Its pose, looking skyward, fitted the scene perfectly, as if it was directing a plea to the ‘Bird Gods’ for respite! […]