A fantasy themed commission

2 February, 2025 – 9:00 am

This commission really caught my attention as I love to use my imagination. This one stemmed from a computer game called Horizon Zero Dawn. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, with trees growing over broken buildings and tribes struggling to survive. The main character is called Aloy and I have interpreted her as a slightly older character, inspired by Artemis the Greek goddess of hunting.

I hope that you like my interpretation.

This is hand carved out of Portland limestone and will be built into a wall in a house in Walmer in Kent.

It measures 19 x 5 x 31.5 inches and took me 6 weeks to carve. As soon as it goes in and I can take the final photos I will add them to this post.

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Henry VI coin carving.

19 January, 2025 – 10:00 am

This interesting commission is based on a coin that was discovered by a metal detectorist.

Quite tricky to interpret, but I’m always up for a challenge.

I used a 12 inch square piece of Forest of Dean sandstone.

Once I had sketched it on the stone, I started to waste away the stone to create the depth.

Thankfully my customer was very happy and are the proud owners of this unique piece of stone carving.

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A New Greenman.

15 January, 2025 – 10:00 am

As you know I have alot of interesting carvings available to buy off the shelf, but I need to keep on top of my commissions.

I had started carving a new Greenman at one of my demonstration days for the Maison Dieu in Dover, but hadn’t got very far.

After my last commission, of the Viking, I was inspired to carve my Greenman as a Viking.

This is where I left him from the Summer, there was plenty of stone to change the design and his leaves could be converted to horns.

Here are the progress photos;

I love my new Greenman Viking, designed by me and hand carved out of Tetbury limestone.

This carving along with other more traditional Greenman carvings are available to buy from my shop.

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Heritage Open Day

1 January, 2025 – 12:37 am

In my role as the Stonemason in Residence for The Maison Dieu, I am invited to run activities and demonstrations. At this years Heritage Open weekend, I was invited to demonstrate stone carving and give the general public the chance to try it for themselves.

The other heritage crafts that have been part of this re-awakening project were demonstrating their skills and giving the general public an opportunity to try their hand as well.

This company have been lovingly restoring the wall art in the Maison Dieu.

This is one of the many beautiful paintings that have been restored, this was being cleaned for people to watch.

Engaging the next generation of creative individuals is incredibly important.

I also took part in a wonderful day of stone carving activities in the Autumn half term, in the Biggin Hall with the Future Foundry, a recently arts council funded group, to help bring creative activities to the youth community in Dover.

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Viking commission.

26 December, 2024 – 11:45 am

I was asked to carve a replica of a small glass ornament that my customer owned.

I wanted to use my favourite Tetbury limestone, and thankfully I still have some in my store.

After I had rounded the stone, I started to mark where the details would be.

I left some stone on to create a moustache and asked my customer to come in and give me his input. He was happy with my progress, but wasn’t keen on the moustache. It’s better to do it this way, I can’t put the stone back.

It’s quite tricky interpreting from photographs, but he turned out really well and reminds me of Noggin the Nog and the Lewis chess set.

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