The boy and the wolf cub

I have finished Mowgli and the wolf cub! More work than I had expected, the oak was very hard. I am, for the moment, happy with them. I hope Mowgli isn't "cute", but is mischievous and strong. This is the final piece for the Jungle Book collection at my forthcoming exhibition. Now I need to get on with oiling older works, framing drawings, publicity etc.And prepare the studio for the arrival of a large oak beam.......
Meanwhile it is summer again, very hot, and the South Downs are covered with wildflowers. So I am distracted by taking my dog on long hill walks. The artist and her dog...
 

Mowgli in Progress

I have been working on Mowgli and the wolf cub, the last one of the Jungle Book series for my solo show at the Grange, early September. These images show stages of development, though the piece is not yet finished, so please watch out for the next Blog! Meanwhile I am surprised to say that I have become sucked into the Olympics. Never having watched sport before, and only taking part for pleasure, (cycling & swimming,) this time round I have just been so impressed by the athletes' courage, and their urge to do their best. I guess that's all any of us can do really.
                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

Where I get my wood

In 2003 I was commissioned to work on 5 large scale pieces for Queen Elizabeth Park, Guildford. I had an adventure finding the oaks, getting a bus, a train, then a tiny bus, to a timber suppliers in a field near Midhurst. There I climbed about on huge fallen trunks, with a spray can, marking my chosen pieces with an "S". Sometime later they were delivered to my garage workspace in Brighton by an amiable driver. We had to stop the traffic to make space for his massive articulated lorry to extend its arm, with the oak, into the garage. Anyway, the driver, Dave, was interested in my work and told me he could probably always find the wood I need out at his place.
Since then I have mostly got my wood from Dave, often in exchange for paintings or small pieces of work. We like to do trades. He lives in a beautiful old shepherd's cottage set deep amongst trees, surrounded by wood, both sawn and in the round, and a vast collection of vintage work vehicles.

The pics show Dave sawing up a piece of mountain ash, he is keen for me to try this & let him know how it carves. Then he is sawing the oak I am currently using for a carving of Mowgli.


The oak beams don't look very large, but are massive and weigh a ton. I shall use the 10" one for the totem pole commission I'll be working on from September. But first I need to locate 6 strong men and true, to get it into my upstairs workroom! Let's hope the floor holds....

Baloo the bear

I have been working for some time towards a solo show at The Grange Museum and Art Gallery, Rottingdean, East Sussex. This will be Sept 6th- October 2nd. Because of the Rudyard Kipling connection there, I have been working on a Jungle Book theme, strictly non-Disney! More details to follow. Meanwhile, here are some pics of Baloo the Bear in progress, and completed.

Questions on the beach

Alongside my sculpture, I lead a Women & Art class, and have done for 25 years now. The women, from all walks of life, do some pretty amazing art works. This term our theme is: A Summer Pilgrimage. Last Tuesday evening we went to Ovingdean beach, and considered the title of Paul Gaugin's painting: "Where have we come from? Who Are we? Where are we going?"
We made a pebble and seaweed question mark on the beach as the sea mist came in and dusk fell....It floats there still.

The sun sometimes shines

The garden exhibition at Quebec Street enjoyed some sun at last! A good chance for visitors to sit over sculptures, tea and cakes........ Open for two more May weekends.

May Exhibition

Woodcarvings in the Garden    Brighton Festival 2012
Artists' Open Houses         Hanover Art Trail

See my carvings displayed in the old laundry garden at: 20 Quebec Street, Brighton, BN2 9UZ, as part of a group exhibition. Open May weekends, 11 - 6pm. Enjoy Tea and Cakes in a lovely setting while you are there!

O

Old Chief    (oak)