I enjoy making narrative, satirical, humorous new work just as carvers in history made new work relevant to their times. The woodwork I am inspired by was made in the 12th to the 17th centuries, a world without TV or advertising, very little travel and a largely illiterate population.
I make carvings similar in spirit that fit into a modern, visually ultra-aware world that has become very small and less awesome. I am a new link in an old chain.
My BA 3D Design course was at Wolverhampton Polytechnic from 1986 to 1989. Living and working in Shropshire has been fundamental to my work. Nothing to do with availability of timber but rather lots of other artists nearby, an inspiring landscape, a culture of creativity, slow pace of life and a good local client base.
It is good to share ideas and experiences with fellow makers in the area and work together to raise the awareness of potential buyers.
Potential customers look around using the internet and compare my prices to those of hobby craftspeople. I can only strive to be better, more exclusive, more diligent in meeting clients' needs.