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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Corncrake Couple
Corncrakes (or Land Rails as they are sometimes known) are rather secretive birds, usually taking refuge in tall vegetation where they search for insects and seeds. They’re summer visitors to Britain, arriving mid April. The male will look for a suitable breeding site and start to sing for a mate. Once the mating has […]
The Buzzard
The Buzzard sculpture carved in sandstone – work in progress. Over the past few weeks the cries from Buzzards have become more determined and persistent. This follows a stage of display flights. Now they collect nest material. Buzzards use old twigs, small branches, and bark to construct a solid nest usually in the […]
Swaledale Fossil Stone
Swaledale is a typical limestone Yorkshire dale, with its narrow valley bottom and steep glacier-formed vale sides. The dale takes its name from the River Swale which passes through the valley Eastward and is said to be the fastest flowing river in England. This North Yorkshire dale has in turn given its name to […]