at work

Me at work, a mug shot for an article in Carving magazine, which will be in Issue 145 in June

The Empty Studio

My extraordinarily empty studio! I have just had the walls & ceiling insulated with 52mm celletex, and after 25 years of freezing I am looking forward to being warmer. And what good timing, with this February freeze. Meanwhile I have been working on sketches for new works in the kitchen.

A Bird in the Hand - finished

This carving in lime wood has surprised me, I didn't really plan it and yet it seemed determined to exist on a very "real" level. The chunky lad has a pony tail. I have found out that geese are very compassionate birds. If one of them falls out of the flock during migration, another goose will join the injured one, and stay with it until it heals and is able to fly again, or dies. Only then will the rescuer goose rejoin the flock. No goose will ever be left alone.

New Work in Progress

I am currently working on a largish piece of lime. It's very pale wood, with  washes of darker browns. The grain is not so pronounced as in oak, but it is also less heavy to heave around on the workbench, since I have yet to locate a troupe of young men to assist! Lime was traditionally used for many figurative church carvings as it is great for detailed work. I have not yet got to that stage. I have become addicted to this piece, most of the rest of life seems a distraction, apart from swimming which keeps my shoulders mobile. I may call it "A Bird in the Hand".

Mother and Child

I have just completed this carving, using a very old piece of pine, circa 120 years, rescued from a loft.

The grain is marvellous.

This piece will be in my next group exhibition, at The Crypt Gallery, Seaford, from August  24th. to Thursday 6th September. More information soon!

Totem pole finished!

A week before Xmas I finished the totem pole, and it was taken down to Cornwall. It was met there with delight. This was a large undertaking for me, physically large, complex design, and very detailed. A friend was looking at the photos recently and asked "Is it the best piece you've done?" and I suppose one always hopes that the piece you have just done, is your best piece. Until the next one comes along......