I make sculptures ranging in size from tiny pendants to large pieces that I can’t move on my own, some weighing well over half a ton!
The objects which I make reflect my interest in craft skills. I’m fascinated by the stories associated with objects made by hand; whether they come from collecting the raw materials, forming the object itself or its existence after it leaves the maker and goes out into the world.
![](https://carvings-with-stories.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/carving-in-san-pedro.jpg)
My first carvings were whittled using an Opinel lock knife in 1994, a year after graduating with a degree in Zoology. For about ten years I used this knife and some sandpaper to create almost all my sculptures whilst travelling about (the photo above was taken in Spain in 1999) and doing various jobs.
![](https://carvings-with-stories.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Opinel-knife.jpg)
I still have that knife today, although now I also use a very wide range of traditional and more modern tools – ranging from specialist woodcarving tools that are over a hundred years old through to chainsaws.
After graduating from Plymouth University with a degree in Three-Dimensional Design (Designer Maker) in 2005, I moved to Bristol and have lived here ever since.
Producing sculptures to commission often leads to interesting new ideas and research. Over twenty-eight years of carving experience have given me the confidence and skills to be able to work on all kinds of carving projects.
As well as making commission pieces, I’m a very experienced woodcarving tutor and have qualifications in PTLLS and as a Forest School leader. I also have a current enhanced DBS certificate.
If you have a project in mind, feel free to get in touch!
![Alistair Park a woodcarver based in Bristol](https://carvings-with-stories.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSCN3446-1-1024x786.jpg)