I was born in Derbyshire in 1973.

After completing a Foundation course in Art and Design at Chesterfield College, graduated with a BA(Hons) Fine Art (Painting) from Bath in 1995, became interested in working alongside nature and began work as a Countryside Ranger and a Forester.

In 1997, whilst living in Scotland, I felt my direction was to integrate Fine Art with my environmental experience, choosing to combine outdoor work with creativity in the form of wood sculptures, mostly carved with the sole use of a chainsaw.

My work is often organic in nature, drawing from the immediate environment and, if appropriate, the history of the local area. I value the importance of involving loal people in my sculptures wherever appropriate and possible often through environmental sculpture workshops.

Now see how I create my art...

DAY ONE
The 'blank' await the sculptor.

DAY TWO
The upper part of the shape is roughed out using chainsaw only and an idea of the potential of the wood is gained

DAY THREE
The upper part is becoming defined and I now have a good idea of how the wood will behave and where I am going with it.

DAY FOUR
The sculpture can now be pulled upright so I get a different view to work on and this goes quite well, giving me great satisfaction.

DAY FIVE
I am now paying considerable attention to detail and trying to make the sculpture look 'right' from any angle. This can be very difficult and time consuming but is worth it in the end.

DAY SIX
I spend part of the day working on the fine detailing with a rotary sander

DAY SEVEN
I'm running behind schedule and have to have a long day building on what I have already created.

DAY EIGHT
The finishing sanding is done and the piece is completed

Conclusion
I was very pleased with the comments of almost everybody who saw the result. For me it was an excellent week during which I was able to practise my art and see what everybody else was up to.