Carving

The act of carving refers to a subtractive act of removal of material to reveal the form with. The finished work is a celebration of the natrual materials on unique beauty, the story the finished form tells and the hours of love and craftsmanship that has been put into the object itself and all the propriety design work before starting the carving itself. I find there is always a tension between the high risk act each swing of the mallet represents and the pleasure of watching something appear from within a natural material. The enjoyment is strengthened by the experience and understanding that time practicing my craft has gifted me as well as the knowledge of that this object will bring happiness to the commissioner as well as the many more who will get to enjoy it in the future.

Sculptural Work

My sculptural practices comes from a love of the figurative throughout history and is hugely influence by the style various styles of the past. The people I have met have helped shaped me in the same way that I have shaped the stone I work. Using skill and techniques set out by my for fathers I love seeing work sculptural work from from concept sketches, into clay and then from clay into stone.

Architectural Work

I combine my 12 years experience as a stonemason and understanding of form and style when it comes to design and production of piece that is going to be installed on a building. Whether its producing a orignal piece for a building or replicating and replacing old with a like for like replacement I use my own knowledge of historic craft practices and styles with research for the local history, lore and legends to create something tells the story of the community that use the building as well as making something that will stand on its own and create something that adds to the building individualism for the people now and the future who visit and use the spaces.

Landscape

I have worked closely with Landscape Architect Chris Prior and his clients to design, and hand carved one of a kind pieces of work that are successful as individual work but also fit successfully within a pre designed landscape and make sure that it celebrates the natural beauty of nature. Use of the garden has been key so selection for the correct stone and design for both aesthetics as well as it use of is a major focus in all these projects and has brought happiness to the those working, living and enjoying the gardens.