Paper Sails - 2016

This new public artwork was installed within the gardens of the Hughenden Reach housing complex at Tovil, Maidstone. It celebrates the history of the areas association with paper making in Kent, with several of its most renowned paper mill situated in close proximity to the River Medway in the Tovil.

Follow the production of 'Paper Sails' by clicking the link below.

http://hughendenreach.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/paper-sails-2016_17.html

ARTWAVE 2016

Just delivered work today for the ArtWave 2016 - Open Studios in East Sussex. Opening on the weekend of the 20th, 21st Aug, 27th & 28th and again on the 3rd & 4th Aug. 

Showcasing a selection of small works alongside stone sculptor Guy Stevens in his studio.

Location: Upper Stoneham Farm, Lewes, BN8 5RH, 11am to 5pm

Follow orange arrows after entrance to the farm.

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Folding Stone.

The small origami boat is nearly finished and is being carved from a block of Portland Limestone. I have to be mindful of the folds and returns on the design so not to allow for the collection of water or debris when it is fixed in place. I have modified the folds and kept them shallow and robust rather than thin and deep like on paper maquettes.

 http://hughendenreach.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/folding-stone.html

Paper Sails

Working on the design for a new piece of Public Art for the residents of Hughenden Reach, for their gated garden area. Installation date is August 2016.

268 sculptures by 39 sculptors

http://www.onformsculpture.co.uk/

'A Little Light Meditation in the Meadow'

With just over three weeks to go now until onform 16 opens on Sunday 12 June, 39 stone sculptors have now installed over 260 sculptures along the banks of the River Windrush and inside the beautiful grounds of Asthall Manor, Burford.

It’s a privilege to be showing alongside so many ‘rock botherers’ in one place and it was a pleasure to be in their company for several days installing my own work and being helped and helping others. The views around this part of the Cotswolds are simply stunning and the curation of this years exhibition by Rosie & Anna is probably the best yet, since onform's conception in 2002!

Be sure to visit this year and keep up to date with all of the artist's new work as it appears on the website /http://www.onformsculpture.co.uk/

Sculptor Mark Stonestreet installing a 2.5 Ton Indian granite Buddha head in the meadow.

Hooked!

There is a sense of vitality about the studio at the moment. Maybe its because the mornings are brighter and the seasons are changing or maybe its because I am finally making progress with finishing work ready for exhibition.

All the aches and pains that have been running through my fingers each day while rubbing back the surface of this block of Kilkenny has now started to pay off. I am reminded how satisfying the hard work can be when the light picks up on the undercuts of a stone. The intensive journey you go through when carving a hard piece of stone suddenly becomes worthwhile. Maintaining a positive focus can be made even harder when it’s your second attempt at making the carving. The five broken pieces of stone that sit in the corner of the workshop is a constant reminder to myself to never reverse back into the studio with my pallet truck again!

'Moby' - Kilkenny Limestone - 1.7m x 30cm x 25cm

The Inside of a Boulder

'Hammerstone' - Kentish Ragstone. 120 cm x 80 cm x 40 cm

The Shape of Uncertainty

'The Shape of Uncertainty' - Kentish Ragstone - 1.1m x 500mm x 300mm

On the Other Side

When you look at the photos below you could easily be mistaken that it was the middle of autumn! These were in fact taken just before Christmas and New Year! Despite the mild weather and what would normally be a real motivator, progress on the sculptures still seems slow.  This might be down to the fact I have moved from working on the large block and I am now having a go at one of the smaller editions. The ragstone bolder has had any faults and softer limestone removed and I have raised it up for ease of working.  So far I’m pleased with the quality of the material and everything seems solid and sound.  The stone will be cut and opened up and carved into a narrow twisting loop. As I want to reduce the amount of heavy vibration on the stone, the center hole will be cut out with a grinder and not drilled, as will a majority of the carving. The model I am working from has been useful to get me to this stage, but now I need to start looking afresh at the lines and form in the block if I want to make the twist successful.