Since the beginning of the year I have placed metal aside, for the moment, to explore other materials I have come across in my explorations. On my walks I have been collecting timber, driftwood, stones and shells. I began by focusing on timbers. I have worked with timber before, but sporadically and I am not sure my timber bread box I made at school 20 years ago counts. I took this as an opportunity to pick up some inherited timber carving tools and start my 10,000s. Not knowing where to start, I began by carving forms inspired by the natural world around me. I decided to make it a little trickier and create forms that were balanced. When string was put around them, they would sit horizontally on the body. These are form studies, they are exercises to learn more about the materials and to build up the muscles required for this type of making.
Recently I began to explore hand carving pebbles and shells. I have only made small alterations thus far, but look forward to learning how to work with the material properly. To be honest I am not sure where the process is going or what objects I might make, but I am really enjoying the process. It is slow making, there can be no fast movements as I will throw off the balance. This is a time for experimentation and exploration in my practice. It is not often we get time and space to work in this way. I am relishing it.
