Blog
Gilbertine Hare
The Magic of Medieval Carving At the beginning of the chapter – The Craftsmen and the Value of their Carvings from Ancient Misericords (in the priory church Great Malvern) there is a quote I rather like by Bernard Bosanquet. It comes from Three Lectures on Aesthetic and reads ‘Man’s mind possesses a […]
Barn Owl in Winter Light
Recently days have been wintery, short, dark and grey – and then this morning the sun came up in golden style and put a glint on everything. Here my Barn Owl sculpture is bathed in that special winter light. The Barn Owl sculpture is carved in Hazeldean Sandstone which is quarried near Alnwick, Northumberland […]
Upland Otter
The course water takes from these little moorland pools can be followed as it flows, gathering pace with run-off from other ponds, until it reaches the many streams and rivers meandering through the valleys and dale bottoms of the North York Moors National Park. Along the banks of these becks and waterways, and often […]
A Grand Sculptural Leaf Birdbath
A carved bird is perched on the stalk end of this grand leaf-shaped birdbath. The natural curves, flow and undulations of a fallen leaf make an ideal shape to hold water for garden birds, creating a beautifully decorative as well as functional feature. Watching wildlife enjoy the garden is a great treat and this […]
Fauna – Art of the Wild
The exhibition Fauna: Art of the Wild is now open at the Gallery by the Lakes and Cop Crag Bird here joined my Hedgehog, Crake and Cherty Bird for this exceptional collection of wildlife inspired art. I’ve picked a couple of favourite pieces from the exhibition – do have a look at Bog Myrtle […]
October Hare
My latest sculpture of a Hare carved in Yorkstone – the hare is in a sitting position, looking out across the grassland on this lovely sunny October day. Mostly when I see a Hare it is running. Sometimes in the lane one runs ahead of me, looking for a familiar gate in the hedgerow […]
Sitting Fox sculpture
At this time of year the Fox is growing a thick coat of fur in readiness for the months ahead and enjoys a sunlit spot before the chill of the evening. They’re well-adapted, even for the harshest weather, and likely to sleep out on the open, tightly curled with their tails wrapped around them […]
Does stone type affect what I carve?
Earlier this week I went to Dunhouse Quarry to select stone for a project I’m working on. This is a new quarry for me, so the trip was filled with excitement. I know the look of their sandstones but haven’t carved them before. Bringing different, and new-to-me-stone back to the workshop […]
Otter settled but alert and watchful
An otter carving in Kilkenny Limestone – 13″ x 15″ x 8″ This piece was a commission for an otter in a curled-up pose, settled, but alert and watchful. I’ve set out all the stages of carving this piece in Curled Otter.
The Beautiful & Useful Fair
This weekend I’m showing a selection of beautiful (I think!) and useful stone vases and a small range from my garden ornament collection – a birdbath, sundials, pots, and planters. The Beautiful & Useful Fair is being held at Sussex Prairies in Henfield and is open on Saturday and Sunday. I can’t wait to […]