BACKGROUND

I was formally trained in fine art and design with a special interest in painting but a series of unnexpected turns led to my current practice. My professional carreer began working with teenagers and young adults disaffected by mainstream education shortly after gaining my B A Hons as a mature student. A fantastic six years of lecturing and teaching both professionally and personally stretching, but by September 2006, I felt the need to focus my own practice.

I assumed a return to painting on a full-time basis but working in a disused stone quarry surrounded by wildlife, some training on the resident blacksmith's forge and a strong interest in nature and natural materials strongly influenced my decision to make beautiful and unusual things that live outside. The metal working opportunity led to developing work where I could integrate wrought iron, and commission the blacksmith to manufacture from my designs.  Exploring mosaic method seemed a natural progression to combine with wrought iron furniture.  Latterly, I explored the potential of mosaic method for individual sculptural work. I will use a range of methods and material as work and inspiration suggest, not all exclusively mosaic but my abiding interest in mosaic method is fired by it's flexibility and hardy utility, and diverse possibilities it offers in combinations of media and technique.

ABOUT THE SURFACES

Old roofing slate and sea-worn glass form the main body of the surfaces alongside a collection of repurposed materials. Features forged out of non-corrosive metals are both decorative and functional in the construction and often inspired by a materials original purpose or history. Waste and found metals such as, copper, nickel cutlery, stainless steel, lead and aluminium are incorporated and just about anything that is interesting and weatherproof. Material is sourced from all sorts of places including finds from our beautiful southwest coastlines from Portishead to St. Ives. I use weatherproof mortars, adhesives and backing boards and experiment with waste aggregates such as, fine clinker from the forge and stone dust for moulding the bases of bird fonts and other forms. Clinker and coal ash used to be incorporated in pointing and lasted for generations. Repeated sanding and waxing creates the almost unnatural sheen on the slate surfaces and repels rain water to stunning effect. Minimum maintenance of occasional clear waxing and buffing protects the work indefinately in all weathers. Commercially available slate oil or tile sealants can be used for added protection in more extreme weather environments. The work is incredibly tactile and hand-waxing is a very satisfying way to connect with it.

ABOUT THE METAL AND A BIT ABOUT THE BLACKSMITH
I make the smaller metal elements and Nathan Bennett, my blacksmith colleague, manufactures the heavier supporting work from my designs. The furniture bases are traditionally forged from mild steel bar and bear no resemblance to commercial alternatives. They are heavy and galvanised, zinc coated for rust proofing, unless stated 'weathering', which basically means not coated with anything. Galvanising is optional for commissioned work. Weathering is cheaper as galvanising costs are high, thus offering the customer an option to pay less and paint the work like we used to. See more info and images on metal bases in the garden furniture gallery. BLACKSMITHING enquiries are also most welcome. Nathan is a professional blacksmith specialising in superior quality period wrought iron work using traditional technologies such as hand punching, dovetailing and riveting, and fire welding. He also has a strong engineering background in industrial and architectural metal fabrication. Nathan has an outstanding portfolio of private, public and corporate commissions but is web-phobic! I will be happy to forward images and information and provide contact details.

Photographs courtesy of Colin Pearson, Copyright 2008

SERVICES OFFERED
Commissions for domestic and public spaces
Made to order or direct sales from my studio designs
Art loans for garden and landscape design
Workshops for schools and public
Trade discounts

Commissioning services also include regular consultation and feedback throughout the design and making process.

STUDIO AND VISITS

I am based at the Old Town Quarry, Queens Road, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, BS23 2LY. 01934 628050 The quarry originally provided Limestone for Weston's Victorian architecture. It has been turned over to a stunning five acres of wildlife conservation with mechanical and architectural remains of the original industry. The quarry includes a small visitor centre museum, professional artists studios and a cafe serving a small and tasty selection of freshly produced cooked meals and snacks. Open to the public Wed-Sun 10.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m 48 weeks of the year. Arrange a studio visit via contact page.