Workshop
NYOS 15 – Moors & Coast
At the moment the apple blossom at my workshop is smelling, and looking, heavenly – and I’m enjoying the view of my workshed (the building that I love most in the world) through it. It is only a couple of weeks until North Yorkshire Open Studios 2015 and preparations gain momentum across the region […]
Displaying sculpture
The difference between good and bad display of a work of art may be only a matter of a few inches in the height of the plinth or the positioning of the lights, but it will be crucial to our appreciation of the object in question. This is taken from an article by James […]
Hot off the press
Just the other day I collected my posters and brochures for North Yorkshire Open Studios 2015. This year it is designed with fresh spring colours and just perfect for this time of year. I’ve got posters to put up, signs to fix and brochures to send – I’m number 92 in the Moors and […]
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 […]
Losing sense of time
The feeling of time is a very subjective thing – time of course is a construction and it seems natural that we would all perceive it differently. At times even not to be aware of it. It happens regularly to me, in fact possibly every time I come into the workshop – I […]
Handling with care
Blocks of stone for sculpture are moved and handled with care.
Dust Monkey
A few years ago whilst exhibiting at Art in Action at Waterperry House I visited the woodcarving marquee. One of the craftsmen was carving oak – a beautiful run of oak leaves and acorns – so I went over for a closer look and to ask questions. Anyway, I ended up having a go – I was surprised by […]
Mushrooms and Maintenance
This little row shows the growth progress of ‘mushrooms’ on the heads of my chisels. Which raises the mushroom question – that is when to maintain chisels which inevitably become ‘mushroomed’ at the head due to use. Some would be appalled to see these, in that they show total disregard to good housekeeping, or should […]
For smooth curves
Abrade, repeat – abrade, repeat, repeat, repeat ….. To achieve smooth curves and clean lines in stone (which I like in my sculpture), I need abrasives. Lots of them, and lots of elbow-grease. After the chiseling, and filing, the surface still has marks, and these need to be sanded away. My hand feels the […]
Snow Stones
Snow fall and we’re covered in white. The blanket layer envelopes, hushes and quietens – the inside of my workshed contains all my movements, thoughts, breaths – held by the covering, temporarily pocketed, educating by their shapes. Heightened senses. Soft white, smooth white, hard white, cold white, textured white, stone white – silent white. […]