Workshop
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 […]
The Sun is High
Happy Summer Solstice There’s lots of talk about the Strawberry Moon this year on our longest day – but I’m happy with late evening sun and a Barn Owl flying overhead.
A frenzy of fledglings
It is so busy at the workshop just now with birds free from sitting on nests frantically attempting to manage their broods, fresh fledged and wide-eyed. My pair of blue-tits, who nested in the corner of my shed, encourage their young with constant calls and example flights upwards. One baby took its first flight […]
Hammer easy in my hand
Weight. Balance. Rhythm. Sound. Handle smooth and comfortable from wear. Hammer easy in my hand.
Kestrel company
When Kestrels are around you jolly well know about it. They’re noisy birds. I saw one on my way to the workshop in early March, further down the lane and was pleased, having not seen them here before. By late March they were close-by, sitting on fence posts, and obviously checking me out. At […]
New Chisels
Great excitement in the workshop today – it always is when I get new tools. I unwrapped them slowly, meticulously and laid them out – three chisels, primarily for lettercutting, but they’ll get to carve too. They’re pristine, the steel clean and the tungsten carbide tips perfect, the blue coating friendly and reassuring. I […]
A hand turned Ironstone Bowl
Ironstone is a sedimentary rock that contains a substantial proportion of an iron compound from which iron either can be, or once was smelted commercially. Hand turning this bowl was my introduction to, and the first time I’ve worked this very distinctive stone. It is medium to course grained with its colour varying from […]
Phew! Easy does it drilling
Drilling stone can be hard work. At the very least carbide tipped ‘masonry’ drills are needed. I’ve always found it difficult to keep the drill steady and straight, but I’m getting better with practice. Often the base of a sculpture needs drilling, so that it can be secured in place on site and […]
I wrote a poem
Because it is Poetry Day – the theme is Light – and I love light on stone. It falls in shadows and helps me see. Highlight delves, dances and sets free the line, curve, rhythm and hollow, guiding my pressing deeper – I follow hammer hopeful, my favourite chisel and me. I’ve really enjoyed my few weeks […]
Written in stone (dust)
My workshop is open as part of NYOS 15 this coming Saturday and Sunday, and the following weekend. North Yorkshire Open Studios 6/7 & 13/14 June, 2015 10.30 – 5.30 daily Stone Carvings, Sculpture and my latest pieces on display.