The Blue Pigeons
15 February, 2025 – 9:00 amThe Blue Pigeons in Worth was undergoing a renovation project and the owners had fallen in love with my carving, Pins and Needles.
They decided to compliment my sculpture with a pair of pigeons that would sit either side of Pins and Needles.
I used the same limestone from my favourite quarry in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Roughly 12 inches high by 8 inches square. Thankfully I had the presence of mind to stockpile this stone, as the quarry went out of business in 2020.
I made a simple sketch for approval and was given free reign with the embellishments.
I love this stone because of the colour and the veins of calcium Carbonate crystals and fossils running through it. The picture of the small shard shows the texture and fossil pieces in the stone.
I got both pigeons carved to the same stage and then started to focus on each one separately.
I carved them like bookends to maintain the integrity of the stone, and was able to create undercutting to add shadow. One was sitting on a grape vine and the other on a hop vine.
I loved adding the unique character to the pigeons, particularly in the feet and the face.
The two pigeons are very different from each other, but they are obviously a pair.
I absolutely love my pigeons and can’t wait to go the The Blue Pigeons in Worth to see them and Pins and Needles in their new home.
