Garden
Blackberry Cup
….. and it runneth over! They’re ripening as fast as I can pick them. My brambles (I have two wayward patches at the workshop) like my weeds have grown huge and unruly – but now make the tangly mess seem a joy as I harvest fullsome, shiny ripe berries. I’ve made a little stone […]
Simple shapes for Semps
I’ve been making stone plant pots for an order this week, and while I was at it thought I would try a new shape in the beautiful pale yellow Tadcaster Limestone, a test pot for my own Sempervivums, which have been flowering and multiplying like mad. Usually I make the little succulent pots in […]
Tall and elegant stone Birdbath
At this time of year I’m always busy making birdbaths, which I love, as I know the joy of watching birds flit to the bowl rim, sip water, or take the plunge for a full, splashy bath. What a joy it is to watch. All my birdbaths are individually made by hand in a […]
Gold Leaf
Stone finials and balls have been effective decoration on buildings and structures for hundreds of years and have gone in and out of fashion in gardens over the centuries too. I’ve always loved them as a styling feature – on top of gateposts, as a finishing touch to a wall, as a support for […]
A reward for not weeding
A nettle patch at my workshop grows gargantuan, along with willow-herb and the thugish Hogweed – they’re all fighting with dock and bramble! My plan was to clear the area, and I even set aside time to do it, but found it so full of insects, crawlies and caterpillers that I left it to […]
Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens – exhibition
Chips are flying and new sculpture is taking shape. The weeks before an exhibition are always exciting – even if there’s a bit of a frenzy in the workshop getting sculpture finished on time. Nothing like an exhibition deadline to galvanise arms into action and focus the mind. This is Bird in a Tree […]
Scramble and Tumble
Plants have personalities don’t they – this one seems to love stone and has gorgeous habits when the two are combined. The little Bellflower (it takes its name from its bell-shaped flowers) loves to clamber over, up and between. It looks wonderful scrambling between pavings or climbing up a wall, or tumbling over the […]
Walled Kitchen Gardens and Medicinal Plants
What a delight and pleasure it is to arrive at Scampston Hall Walled Garden on a balmy summer’s evening. Sometimes the beauty of plants and gardens makes you cry doesn’t it? I couldn’t help it, more than once my eyes filled up with tears – I pretended to be scrutinizing bees in the borders […]
Sculpture in the Garden
And what a beautiful garden it is. Here are images of my work at the Streamside Sculpture Trail at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. I walked the streamside path myself – it took ages as I stopped and took in the beauty of the planting in this garden and marvelled at the creativity and talent […]
Otter Streamside
Today I delivered and set up pieces at RHS Garden Harlow Carr for the Streamside Sculpture Trail which is on during June. At the gate I met a similarly loaded vehicle, with sculpture padded and strapped for the journey – and in the gardens other sculptors busy setting out their pieces. One of my […]