Blog
The Natural Eye 2014
The Natural Eye is the annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists – SWLA and takes place at the Mall Galleries, London in October/November. This year I submitted work for the exhibition and today selections were announced. Although I’ve tried not to be anxious, this week I have been overly pre-occupied with thoughts […]
Stone in Autumn colours
The Yorkstone block I’m carving at the moment started with outer layers of rich Autumn colour – they’re so beautiful it makes me hesitate to cut through them with my chisel. In that moment of stopping and enjoying the beauty of my stone I thought about those coloured layers solidly packed against adjacent stone […]
Photoshoot – sculpture in the spotlight
It has been a pretty exciting week, finishing my pieces and anticipating Photoshoot Day – the thought of having my sculpture being the centre of attention for a moment (albeit just a click moment) has felt rather good. I’ve made six small pieces ready for Winterlude, curated and organised by Art Connections who are […]
Preview Night – Fired, Drawn & Painted
I’m looking forward to this one. Do you go to Previews? I keep hearing so many mixed thoughts on previews in general. Personally I like them – both as an artist, and as a visitor. Having made new work, organised and hung an exhibition, there’s a feeling of excitement and anticipation – a pride […]
The Legend of John Barleycorn
I’m watching the swallows fly over the field above my workshop, skimming the top of the golden barley, swooping and rising in undulating flight and then returning to the sheds to feed their second brood, of two hungry youngsters. There is a sound of light clicking and cracking, it is quite distinct from the […]
Stone Carving Course – Autumn
If you fancy trying your hand at a little stone-carving, the place to go this Autumn is Lastingham, in North Yorkshire. It is a beautiful, and inspiring, location on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. There are plenty places to stay in the village, or nearby if you wanted to […]
Stone Carving Workshop – Hawes
On Sunday I went over to the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes to run a Stone Carving Workshop. It is a lovely venue, the site used to be the railway station for the small town of Hawes and the museum holds a fascinating collection telling the story of the Dales people and landscape. The […]
Red Kite souring overhead
This big bird seemed to be looking down at me yesterday, watching the workshop as it soured overhead – I could see its head moving, as if to get a better look. Its huge wings were still and just occasionally it changed the angle of its tail to steer. I thought to begin with […]
Demonstration Day in Helmsley
Lots of artists began their demonstrations around Helmsley on Saturday, and I had a beautiful spot on the little road leading to Helmsley Castle and the Walled Garden – Duncombe Sawmills very kindly gave permission for me to set up in their show area (thankyou!). I was next to Caroline Riley, who was sketching, […]
Off to the beach!
Do you rush and splash and launch right in, or tippy-toe like me? As a special treat yesterday afternoon, I went to Runswick Bay to swim in the sea. The tide was in and the sea smooth and calm, it was hot. I walked out and by the time the water was just above […]