Cat's Eye Carving

Carvings & Commissions

I am currently working on a number of house signs in Welsh Slate and Forest of Dean Sandstone as well as a series of carvings for sale in my studio and as commissions. 

Here’s my latest carving inspired by the sea, it is a more literal carving of the broken seashell that I have been drawing. I also have a birdbath in the photo. I am carving this in Forest of Dean Sandstone & it is one of my commissions.

As you can see I have used my angle grinder to put in the cuts both on the inside and the outside giving me a good start. I can now carry on with a series of chisels. Finally sanding it smooth. When it is wet it will bring out the beautiful greens and browns that are imdicative of this type of local sandstone.

I have a 10wk waiting list at the moment so if you would like to discuss an idea please don’t leave it too late.

Thanks for reading.

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Essence of the sea

I have finished my stone carving, as you can see the curves are fluid and the shapes that I have carved give the impression of a broken seashell.

This is carved out of Tetbury limestone and is 12 x 7 x 17.5 inches. It is priced at £3650 and will be on display in my workshop until Tuesday 27th June then at the George in Newnham until the 17th July. If it is unsold it will return to my studio and be put in my shop.

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Update on my latest hand carved stone sculpture

I have been working on my latest sculpture that will be on display for the Forest and Rivers Open Studios this Summer. I have also started another carving and I have been busy working on some designs for a series of sculptures with a theme that excites and inspires me; the sea and all the beauty of the shoreline.

As you can see my carving is progressing well since my last post and I am looking at the way a broken shell still has an inherent beauty.

As you can see there is still a bit of carving to do, I normally don’t concentrate on one side but I needed to have something for the exhibition brochure, now I can get back on with this sculpture as a whole. The second carving is a more literal depiction of the broken shell that I am currently studying.

The page from my sketchbook shows some very rough sketches for ideas and shapes that are found within the shell. In this instance I don’t carry out a detailed drawing as this would detract from the sculpture and in a small way box my ideas in.

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New hand carved sculptures

I have realised that during the last 3yrs that I have been busy with a variety of great commissions but the way I managed my schedule left me with little or no time to develop my hand carved stone sculptures.

With this in mind I am making a conscious effort to balance my time more effectively so I can carve commissions for my lovely customers but also satisfy my creative bent to come up with some new sculptures in stone, jesmonite and bronze.

Here is a little teaser for the stone carving that I am currently engaged with. It is Limestone from Yorkshire, I have some Tetbury limestone and Lepine;a French limestone, lined up for my next carvings which I am already hard at work designing.

My first decision was to once again join up with The Forest of Dean Open Studios, now aptly titled Forest and Rivers open studios to encompass the far reaching skills of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. I used to take part in this event when I was based at Harts Barn many years ago and I look forward to exhibiting outside of my studio once more.

This means that I will take part in some exhibitions around the area.

1st July – 16th July at The George Café (nr the clock tower) Newnham. GL14 1BS.

7th October – 15th October at the Newland Village Room, Newland, Coleford. GL16 8NP.

7th October – 15th October FarOpen Arts Trail.

Obviously you will be able to visit me in my studio at Taurus Crafts all the time as well but please check my opening times for details or you can contact me to chat about any of these events, a commission or to arrange a visit.

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Letter carving and Gilding

I have been very productive in the last few weeks as you can see.

The carving in the foreground is the Sun altar that I have been commissioned to carve. I have just applied the 23&3/4 carat Gold leaf. There are several other pieces of Forest of Dean sandstone in the background which have also just received this treatment.

Some of the letter carving that I have carried out only has paint on it so far but once they are gilded they really stand out.

There are also a few I haven’t got round to carving yet and as you can see my slate spirals on my bench although it is progressing well has been put on the back burner in favour of another carving I have been developing in Magnesium limestone from Yorkshire. 

What an exciting and interesting time it is for me at the moment. The icing on the cake would be to be given the commission to carve the new War Memorial for Mitcheldean & Abenhall Parish. 

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