Wildlife
A mate for Bamboo Bird
This is Bamboo Bird II – although perhaps the sculpture ought to be called sunshine bird. It has been glorious here and I’ve been working outside all week, today putting finishing touches and carving details into tail and beak. The sculpture is a partner for Bamboo Bird as promised – they’ve just met, and I’m […]
Bamboo Bird
During my struggle with Partridge I took time away from my carving to learn a bit more about the bird, its feeding, habitat, biology and history, thinking that this might help with the likeness. I came across the Kojukei (a name given from the sound the bird makes) – Bambusicola thoracica, Chinese Bamboo Partridge […]
A bit Eastery
My Easter bird – Stone Curlew with eggs. I find these birds really striking, almost primitive looking, with those piercing large eyes and large head. They are called stone curlews because they are found and nest in stony habitats and resemble curlews. They’re also called thick-knee. Those big, round, yellow eyes help the bird in its crepuscular or nocturnal […]
Hedgeside
My hedgerow is just beginning to come to life with little buds and fresh green shoots starting to show. I call it my hedge as it is the hedge which holds the gap where my gate hangs, marking the entrance to my workshop. Those who have been to my Open Studio will recognise it, but […]
A moorland sort of bird
To be more precise, a Partridge. I’ve agonised rather about actually giving this sculpture, carved in Yorkstone, the name Partridge – because it didn’t quite develop a partridgy enough look. Other birds kept creeping in during the carving, which I seemed unable to chase away. Sometimes carvings don’t always go as planned, sometimes the stone has a […]
Mottled Green Diver
Divers are a small family of large water birds with three species regularly seen in the UK – Black Throated, Red Throated and Great Northern Diver. The Mottled Green is rarer! All have long, slender bodies, moderately long necks and dagger-shaped bills, narrow wings and small legs (with long, lobed toes) set far back on […]
Little Owl Sculpture
This is the first time I’ve carved Ancaster Weatherbed stone. This piece was so beautifully flecked grey and brown that I thought it perfect to suggest the feather colouring of a Little Owl. I’ve worked Ancaster limestone before, but that was the stone the quarry describes as Hard White. Within the beds (the layers […]
The Year in Books – March 2015
I’ve gone and got really organised for my The Year in Books, and made some bookmarks. Just simple ones that were easy to do – I printed some sketches I made of my geese onto thick card and then cut to shape. I think the tassels make them look rather smart – these were made by winding […]
Rabbit
This is the result of my chipping – a Rabbit sculpture carved in Portugese Rose marble. Last year when I was collecting from one of the nests my geese were laying in, there was a little rabbit sitting right in the middle among the eggs, all cosy. I was able to get very close and […]
Calls of “pee-wit”
Its busy in the fields above my workshop – the noisy carrying-on makes me down-tools and take a few minutes to enjoy the sight and sound. Lapwings have returned – they nest in these fields and presumably they’ve come to select and compete for the best sites. Soon there will be courting displays which are wonderful […]