Open for only one more week

Hello! So my exhibition is open now for only one more week, till Tuesday Oct. 2nd. It's been going really well, with quite a few sales and great feedback. I've had some interesting encounters with unusual people, listened to their stories, and had too many squishy cakes and tea in Rottingdean cafes.....
Here is the Little Oyster (from Lewis Carroll), followed by some overviews of the show.

The Private View

A lovely sunny day perfect for the Private View....anyone for tea?

My Exhibition is OPEN!! so please come...

 

Wolves in Rottingdean

at: The Grange Art Gallery and Museum

Rottindean, Sussex, BN2 7AH

September 6th - October 2nd

open Mon - Sat 10 to 4, Sun 2 - 4 (closed Weds)

Wolf Panels

So, here are the wolf panels, part of the Jungle Book display for my forthcoming exhibition. They are carved on tall oak slabs. It's both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, I haven't had a solo show for a few years, and am including some drawings and sketches, so I guess a crisis of confidence is allowed. But there's still a few things to organise, so I had better get on with them. Exhibition dates & times to follow soon...

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....