Wildlife
It’s raining Sycamore flowers
They hung, fragrant and sticky earlier in the year, buzzing with insects eager for the sweet feed. The leaves and twigs of the tree, and the ground beneath, glistened with honey-dew. Now they fall down in showers, blown and sunburned brown and dry and carpet everywhere with their soft, cone-shaped florets. I scooped up […]
A small bird with a big voice
There is a Wren in the sycamore tree just outside my workshop, singing his heart out – he’s built nests in the sheds and is calling females to let them know. For such a tiny bird, he makes a huge sound and I can hear his insistent call over my hammering! It is thought […]
Swallow Sculpture
Sleeping Swallow – in Soapstone My sculpture is often described as being ‘inspired by wildlife’, but here with the swallow it was very directly and intensely. You’ll know from my last post, that I found a dead swallow, and have felt heart-broken about it. The result was a very strong compulsion to carve something […]
A bad week for my birds
You know how it is when birds come to your garden, feed, bathe, nest – you feel pleased and proud they have chosen you to be with – and you call them ‘your’ birds. Well, my birds have had a bad time, and I’ve felt very sad about it this week. First my swallows […]
Open Studio – Opening
This year, NYOS 14, is the 10th Anniversary of North Yorkshire Open Studios and to celebrate I’m having live music at my opening on Saturday, 7th June – Bach played on the Viola in my workshop! Come and enjoy ‘music to watch sculpture by’ – a feast for eyes and ears. The viola is […]
Curious Beasts
Leafing through the little book Curious Beasts – Animal Prints from the British Museum by Alison E. Wright I’m captivated, entranced and delighted. The book is a publication by the British Museum Press to accompany a travelling exhibition of the same name, which will be at the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull from the 7th […]
Red Grouse
I went up onto the moor this afternoon, and took Red Grouse with me, to get some photo’s of the bird in its natural habitat. It was wonderful – sunshine and beautiful clean air, I could see for miles. Curlews flew overhead with their huge downward curving bill and evocative sound, and Lapwing came […]
Animal Magic
I’ve just heard from Masham Gallery that I have been selected to show my work there in an exhibition called Animal Magic in July and August this year. I’m really pleased! And excited. I haven’t exhibited at the gallery before, but this exhibition – which the gallery describes ‘the magical animal world surrounding […]
Letter to my birds
Dear Birds I am so happy and honoured that you came to make your home and build your nest in my workshop – but please would you use one of the safe ledges, or rafters, or even the little nest boxes I have supplied. This nest I cannot help but disturb every time I […]
Romance in Stone – Doves
Continuing the Valentine theme that I started with Cupid, today I’m thinking about doves. Very different from the human embrace and ardour, but none-the-less tender and romantic. Bird romance anyway. I’ve watched doves and pigeon pairs and their behaviour to one another is gentle and devoted and their courting attentive and caring. I studied […]