Cat's Eye Carving

Recent events and new commissions.

1 June, 2023 – 10:29 am

My last couple of commissions were a carving of the Star Tarot card, a commission for a wedding anniversary present.

Hand carved out of French limestone, 14 x 19 inches square, this carving took roughly 120 hours to carve.

House names and numbers are my bread and butter, this next commission started with a rather scruffy piece of stone, the surface needed chiselling back to a clean surface and so I called on my stonemasonry training to square and flatten the surface ready to carve the new house sign. My customers are having this built into their new wall.

Before I left for Kent, I made the drawings and templates for the Grotesque carving for the Maison Dieu commission.

The last two events have been a success, the White Mill in Sandwich was open for National Mills weekend and this was when I started the grotesque carving for the Maison Dieu in Dover.

I set up my display of my stone carvings, letters and words but I was also demonstrating. There was lots of interest in what I was doing.

The next event was in Market square in Dover as part of the Medieval Pilgrim’s trail. I set up outside the Museum, and while I was demonstrating for some of it, I also had a carving of the Maison Dieu Wyvern and lettering for people to take a rubbing from. I had 6 pieces of limestone as well and this was incredibly popular for people, young and old to come and try their hand at stone carving.

My latest commission saw me travelling up to the centre of London, I have been engaged as the stonemason in residence, every year I will go to the hall of the Worshipful Company of Founders to carve into a stone plaque and paint onto a gilded plaque, the name of the out-going master.

I have a busy couple of weeks ahead so I’ll be updating again soon.

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Maison Dieu Grotesque.

9 May, 2023 – 3:17 pm

I am so excited about my Summer of events. I will be demonstrating and selling my stone carvings and sculptures.

The sculpture that I will be carving this year is based on a grotesque from the Stone hall at the Maison Dieu in Dover in Kent.

Last month I was appointed the stonemason in residence for this magnificent and historically significant building.

At all the events that I am taking part in this year I will be carving this beastie. From my sketches and measurements, I have made a scale drawing and subsequent templates, my block of stone is marked up and ready to carve.

My next event is at the White Mill on the 13th/14th May. Come and watch me as I start the incredible journey of this magnificent beastie.

On the 27th May, I will be part of the Pilgrim’s trail though Dover.

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Maison Dieu, Dover.

14 April, 2023 – 10:41 am

I am excited to announce that I am now the stonemason in residence for the Maison Dieu in Dover.

I have been commissioned to carve this wonderful creature from the stone hall in the building. While he is a C19th carving it was inspired by medieval creatures.

Currently the building is undergoing a major restoration project and should re-open to the public next year.

It started life as a pilgrim’s hospital, housing weary travellers from Europe on the way to Canterbury and Thomas Becket’s tomb. Henry VIII used it as a Victualling warehouse to store food and drink for his navy and it was a courthouse and jail in the C19th. From 1830 it served as Dover’s town hall. For a more detailed history please visit their website

This year’s events proves to be an exciting and interesting schedule. At all the events where I am demonstrating, I will be carving the beastie, you can come along and have a look. watch my progress and find out more about this fascinating building. Please visit my events page to find out where I will be this year. Obviously I will be posting regular updates on here and my Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.

On the 27th May, there will be a Pilgrim’s trail through Dover and you can stop off in the newly re-furbished market square. It’s right next to the Museum so you could pop in there and have a look at the history of the area.

I will be demonstrating at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 for 20 minutes and then you can have a go at stone masonry, I will be carving the Maison Dieu logo in a piece of Welsh slate so that the youngsters can make a rubbing.

The have a go at stone carving will be 10 minute sessions and these will be bookable sessions, please get in touch with the Maison Dieu for more information.

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Exciting new commission.

12 April, 2023 – 5:23 pm

I am excited to announce that I have been appointed the letter carver at The Worshipful Company of Founders. Near Smithfield Market in central London, it is one of the oldest livery companies, with history as far back as 1365.

This is a lifetime job, one or two days a year, depending on the length of the name.

Every year a new master is elected. It will be my job to paint the name of the outgoing master on a gilded background underneath their decorative shield. Historically, these shields would have been the family crest but obviously in modern times the Masters are normal people and so their shield reflect their job or something that enjoy doing. I will also carve this name into a stone plaque on the wall in the reception area.

Originally this livery company was established to ensure the quality of the metal in such things as candle sticks, buckles, straps etc, fairness within the foundries between master and apprentice and obviously fine anyone for working when they shouldn’t or using sub-standard materials. They were responsible for charitable activities as well which is a thread through to their modern charitable foundation.

I will be going up at the end of May to carry out this work and will obviously post photos when I have carried out my work.

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Summer events.

27 February, 2023 – 9:06 am

This year, I have a full schedule of events.

In order to spend time with my family I chose to start doing events in my home county, being self-employed means that I can’t just shut, so I take my business on the road.

My year starts with a 4 day market in the beautiful St Mary’s Art Centre in Sandwich. This will be open over the Easter weekend, 7th,8th,9th and 10th April.

April 29th, 30th & 1st May, Ash Church Art exhibition, TBC

Then comes National Mills Weekend 13th/14th May, at the White Mill in Sandwich, I will be demonstrating and giving you the opportunity to come and have a go at stone carving.

I have an exciting new venue for the 27th May, I have been invited to demonstrate and give you the opportunity to come and have a go at stone carving as part of the Pilgrim’s Trail, you explore the Medieval sites in Dover and end up at the Maison Dieu, where you will find me. The Maison Dieu in it’s original form was a stopover point for pilgrims on their way to the tomb of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. it later became a victualling warehouse for Henry VIII’s navy and then a town gaol and courthouse. The building is currently undergoing restoration and I am looking forward to getting involved in it’s future.

3rd June, Eastry Community fun day, TBC.

I love taking part in events hosted by the Sandwich Medieval Trust and this year is no exception. Not only will I be setting up in my Trader’s tent again.

But I will also be working inside the centre as part of the South East Open studios. 5th-9th June inside the centre, then outside for Le Weekend Medieval encampment 10th/11th June, then back inside from the 14th -17th June. 10am-4pm.

These photos were taken in October 2022 when I spent 4 days with the centre, demonstrating and letting people come and have a go. That’s Steve the blacksmith, making me some chisels.

My next event is the Staple Country Fayre, my home village. I will be demonstrating and selling some of my hand carved creations.

There’s also the August Bank Holiday weekend at the Sandwich medieval centre when I will be back in my trader’s tent, what comes after this has yet to be discovered.

I look forward to seeing you at one or all of these exciting events.

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