About
Based in the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales, I am surrounded by stunning and inspiring beauty. My two Siamese cats make questionably worthy, but highly vocal sculptor's apprentices, though they do walk dust everywhere.
Carving predominantly by hand in a variety of stone, I create unique works of art which I wish to appeal not only visually, but also very much to the sense of touch. I believe touch is essential in all our lives, and in art, touch distinguishes sculpture from other mediums. Initially inspired by a day workshop and some mentoring, I am self-taught. Each time I pick up my tools I find I'm continuing to learn. I've always been attracted to stones, collecting them as a small child and still to this day. They get everywhere! I studied Geology at university, and after a variety of jobs, even learning to massage with hot stones, I now enjoy working as a stone sculptor. Carving stone is a passion, almost a compulsion for me. It’s a very challenging medium, but also immensely fulfilling and joyful work. It requires concentration, perseverance, patience, flexibility and hard work. There's such an enormous variety of stone, technique, design, and finish which could yield more than a lifetime of inspired works. I'll do what I can.
Carving predominantly by hand in a variety of stone, I create unique works of art which I wish to appeal not only visually, but also very much to the sense of touch. I believe touch is essential in all our lives, and in art, touch distinguishes sculpture from other mediums. Initially inspired by a day workshop and some mentoring, I am self-taught. Each time I pick up my tools I find I'm continuing to learn. I've always been attracted to stones, collecting them as a small child and still to this day. They get everywhere! I studied Geology at university, and after a variety of jobs, even learning to massage with hot stones, I now enjoy working as a stone sculptor. Carving stone is a passion, almost a compulsion for me. It’s a very challenging medium, but also immensely fulfilling and joyful work. It requires concentration, perseverance, patience, flexibility and hard work. There's such an enormous variety of stone, technique, design, and finish which could yield more than a lifetime of inspired works. I'll do what I can.
The natural world has provided inspiration for much of my work to date. I'm thrilled to have been selected in previous years as a finalist in the annual David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, exhibiting at the Mall Galleries in London. Having always enjoyed the outdoors, and being an animal lover, I'm encouraged by the strong links between the worlds of wildlife art and conservation. Unfortunately I had to take some time off from stone carving for health reasons, but I am now, thankfully, managing to make it a part of my life again.
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir
I find further inspiration in the art and artefacts from ancient civilisations, mythology and tribal art, providing countless design ideas in waiting. The starting point for a sculpture can come from any direction, ‘seeing’ the design in the stone, a moment of inspiration, a visual image, a word, maybe even a dream. The colour of the stone may start the idea, or I may decide on the subject, sketch and model, then seek the right stone for it. If I use a representative style, I'm increasingly focusing more on form than detail, attempting to capture the essence and emotion of the subject, and trying to create a fusion of the subject with the colour, texture and beauty of the rock I'm working with. My sculptures are carved and polished as much as I can manage by hand. The process is slower, but allows for the work to change, evolve, and perhaps define itself in certain ways. It also makes the work more peaceful, pleasing, and actually meditative for me. Power tools, whilst being extremely useful at times, are noisy and dusty!
"The chief enemy of creativity is good sense." Pablo Picasso
"The chief enemy of creativity is good sense." Pablo Picasso