Garden

Pumpkins and Butterflies

  What an inspiring time of year for shapes – the plant and fruit forms of Autumn  are exciting.  The season for Pumpkins and seed heads. Throughout history it seems artists have been inspired by the abundance of apples, pears, pumpkins, squash, corn and chestnuts – all so visually attractive.  I’m reminded of the Autumn […]

Leaf Birdbath

  Sculptural Leaf Birdbath complete with perched bird carved in natural stone – 34″ x 23″ x 13″ For my recent show Beautiful & Useful at Sussex Prairies Gardens I popped this Birdbath on a plinth and it created a handsome and much admired feature – especially with the wonderful backdrop of the dramatic Amaranthus […]

Goldcrest bird sculpture amid Wisteria

  Goldcrests carved in Yorkstone with gilded crown in pure gold leaf. The fragrance of the Wisteria floats in through the open back door.  It has grown vigorously this last week and is now laden with the purple shades of its spring flowers – so beautiful, and today resplendent in the sunshine. I couldn’t resist […]

Pikorua sculpture for New Zealand Garden

  This weekend was the re-opening celebration of the New Zealand Garden in Valley Gardens, Harrogate and unveiling of the garden’s new sculpture.  The New Zealand Garden has undergone a refurbishment, part of which was to include my Yorkstone carving. The sculpture, a commission through Harrogate International Partnerships, is a Pikorua, a Maori symbol representing […]

Birdsong

  With the lighter mornings I’m hearing the beginnings of the dawn chorus.  There was a very sketchy start by a Blackbird this morning, but it soon got into its stride. Just as bird songs are taking shape in the garden, bird sculptures are forming in the workshop.  This new one also enjoying the early […]

Stone Sculpture and naturalistic planting

  If you missed the Beautiful & Useful Fair – here are a few images from the weekend. One of the lovely things about exhibiting at the Beautiful & Useful Fair is the venue.  The Fair is held at Sussex Prairie Garden in Henfield which lends the most beautiful backdrop for my sculpture.  This naturalistic […]

Beautiful & Useful Fair this weekend

  It is the Beautiful & Useful Fair this weekend, so I’m gathering up pieces ready to show. These are Serpentine vases in the softest green colour with hints of warm gold with white veining and mottling.  Each vase shaped and then polished to bring out the glorious colours.  Every stone vase has a glass […]

Beautiful & Useful Fair 2022

  I’m enjoying curating pieces for the Beautiful & Useful Fair 2022 where I’ll be showing my work in September. Definitely included is the Catcastle Vase, hand carved in pale and intriguingly textured natural stone. Each vase in the collection is differently marked with unusual pattern and subtle colouring. The three minimal designs are all […]

My Otter sculpture’s fabulous garden

  I’ve just received this stunning image from my customers, showing their Otter sculpture now in place. Otter is beautifully positioned on a stone wall topped with sandstone slabs.  The wall incorporates steps leading upward to a central flower bed and planted borders following the arc of a protectively enclosing outer wall. Otter’s gentle curves […]

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 […]