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.
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.
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!