Blog
The Corncrake by Frank Rennie
This book – The Corncrake – An Ecology of an Enigma by Frank Rennie has come to the top of my ‘to read’ book pile. I wanted to know more about this bird, having sculpted a pair of Corncrakes, and how lucky I am that Whittles Publishing launched The Corncrake this year. Frank Rennie […]
Nuthatch Nest
I had an inkling that this hollow might become a nest site for a Nuthatch pair. Earlier in the year when we had the unexpected snow flurry in March I saw a Nuthatch flying from the hole with beakfulls of snow. It was excavating the entrance which had become filled and after pecking and […]
Would-be Windhover
At the moment I’m listening to the Kestrel chicks in the nest box at my workshop. Each day their pips and calls get louder, and more recognisably bird of prey. Their shuffling more frequent and noisy. They’ll start putting their heads out of the nest box entrance hole very soon and see the outside […]
Exhibition at the Sculpture Lounge
Here are a couple of sculptures I’m showing at the Summer Exhibition at the Sculpture Lounge from 25 June – 17 July 2022. My pieces for the show are a series of organic shapes and small, mostly for indoors as they’re in a variety of delicate, polished stones. This piece is called Pod […]
Stone Carving at Fountains Abbey
It is humbling to say the least to stand close to the ruins of Fountains Abbey. I love the walk down the hillside, the old stones gradually coming into view through the ancient woodland. Glimpses caught of the magnificence, archways and columns beckoning and inviting. I spent a morning exploring the Abbey as I’ve […]
Hedgerow Birds
The hedgerow is filled with sounds of newly hatched birds, and busy with parent birds flittering to-and-fro, in and out, to feed hungry mouths. As I pass birds scatter – the wingbeats of Yellowhammers, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Sparrow. A Wren perches at the top, and keeps singing, then disappears too, into the interior of the […]
Owl in Columbines
Garden Owl sculpture carved in High Moor Sandstone sits amongst the newly blooming Columbines. Perhaps I should call them Aquilegia, as they are a garden cultivar in yellow, with purple-green foliage. In the language of flowers (symbolism originating mostly in the Victorian era) Yellow Columbines bring positive energy, including friendship and happiness. The Celts […]
Collection for GNCCF online
I’m working hard just now putting finishing touches to my collection for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair – Spring edition. The Fair is online from 21 – 22 May 2022 – more details here >> For this Spring collection I’ve made new vases, pots and small sculpture and am excited to show them […]
Furl and Frond
Fern sculpture carved in Sandstone with mottled colouring (like dappled sunlight) Along with the appearance of Bluebells in Spring, ferns begin to show themselves, unfurling and stretching out their fronds. They intrigue with their coiling new leaves, hairy stems and delicate fronds. Furl and Frond fern sculpture is a commissioned carving, with a contemporary […]
Easter-time Gorse blooms
The gorse is coming into bloom here on the moor – traditionally it was used as a colourant for painting Easter eggs – though I’ve never tried it. In stopping to admire the flowers I disturbed a Stonechat pair – the male perching high and calling with a sharp loud sound, like two stones […]