Stone Carving and Letter Cutting
I have just bought some beautiful pieces of Chinese slate.
It has browns pinks and yellows ochre colours running through it.
This stone offers an alternative carving material for house name and number signs.
I will also be carving some Celtic Knotwork designs in some of the pieces!
Some of you may remember the Nautilus shell I researched and carved at York Minster Stonemason’s Festival last year. I decided to revisit this geometric pattern. It will be carved in slate, a simple yet elegant design which will hopefully have a similar feeling to the ripple designs that I have previously carved.
By using the Golden Sequence of Numbers it is possible to draw a spiral that has the properties of a Sunflower head, it also how some leaves and flowers arrange their petals. This is called The Law of Phyllotaxis.
Draw a radius line, draw a small circle up close to the centre point, draw another line 137.5 degrees from the first line and draw another circle, continue going round adding more lines and more circles-all the same size at first and you will begin to see a spiral pattern appearing. Each circle will need to be as close to the centre as possible but not touching another one. See the first drawing!
I then started developing the pattern-it would be easy to just use this pattern, but not very imaginative!!
I then drew the Equiangular or Logarithmic spiral and used this as an overlay to neaten up my initial drawing. The spiral had to be developed in stages and a certain amount of artistic license is needed!
Once I had my newly formed spiral I was able to draw something that looks a bit like a galaxy, from this pattern I drew some intersecting patterns in preparation for my new carving!!
Wish me luck this will take me about 4-6mths!
As of now, I will only be open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.
If you wish to visit me over a weekend, to discuss a commission, please phone to make an appointment.
It’s rather exciting really, I was approached in April by a well known local photographer called Chris Morris, he has had a number of books published focusing on The Forest of Dean it’s Heritage and Industry, People and the Flora and Fauna.
He wanted to take photos of Artisans at work so there I am!
It has some beautiful photos giving an insight into the social history and todays life in the area!
The book is called ‘The Forest of Dean’ and it is published by Tanners Yard Press.
Visit www.tannersyardpress.co.uk for more details!
This is a hugely exciting event taking place at Taurus Crafts from Friday 22nd July until Sunday 31st July.
What is it I here you ask well visit www.youtube.com/user/AoAchannel
This amazing creation has been enjoyed by 2 million people in 37 countries across the world. It is a marvel to see as visitors can walk through and experience light and music, wending their way though the tunnels and domes.
It is 1000sqm and will be inflated and deflated everyday-this can take anything up to an hour and is a spectacle in itself!
It is open to the general public from 12:30pm-8pm for 10days. During the morning it will be open to booked groups-for booking, phone the Taurus Crafts Office on 01594 844841.
Graham Waddington of Native Breeds will be providing his usual wonderful array of sausages, the wood fired open air pizza oven will also be fired up to bring you fresh cooked pizza!
Obviously the craft workshops will be open demonstrating and providing you with the opportunity to take part in some workshops!
There is also an array of individual gift shops selling all kinds of interesting and unique items!
I will be carving a large block of Tetbury limestone, in my fluidic style which will complement the shapes of the Luminarium. You will be able to watch me at work as the forms become apparent over the 10days and have a quick go!-if you like (there will be no charge but obviously donations would be appreciated!). Obviously I don’t think I will be able to finish in this short space of time but it will definately begin to look like something as the days go by!
My opening times will be different:
Friday 22nd: 11am-8pm
Saturday 23rd: 11am-8pm
Sunday 24th: 11am-6pm
Monday 25th: CLOSED
Tuesday 26th: 10am-5pm
Wednesday 27th: 10am-5pm
Thursday 28th: 11am-8pm
Friday 29th: 11am-8pm
Saturday 30th: 11am-8pm
Sunday 31st: 11am-6pm.
Taurus Crafts will be hosting a range of events so please check their website for details www.tauruscrafts.co.uk
Obviously if you would like more information about this event please email karencree@effective.me.uk
Hope to see you there!!