'Inspired'- a fine craftmanship show at Ashton Court mansion in Bristol

I went to have a look at the 'Inspired' exhibition at Ashton Court yesterday, which is organised by Sue Darlison. The work on show was pretty mindblowing, some technically superb and very beautiful furniture making. My little point-and-shoot camera really can't do the work justice unfortunately! Like any sculpture, you really need to see it first-hand to appreciate it.

'Allium' by Simon Nugent

 Alun Heslop

The table and box at front are by Scott Woyka, the stacked boxes by John Jacques. I can't remember who made the mirror and guitars, but they were also stunning!

 

 These images show some of the beautiful detailing that could be seen, the toolmarks on Martin Grierson's piece (above) reminded me of the carefully laid out adze marks I once saw on a native Canadian totem pole (shown on the right).

Rhys Gillard's elegant bench design is in the foreground. All the work on show was about as good as contemporary furniture making gets. Well done Sue!

Bristol street art... out and about in Bedminster

Bit different from my stuff, but I was cycling through Bedminster in Bristol at the weekend and took a couple of snaps of street art that particularly caught my eye. Bristol has some really incredible works of art painted in it's streets, partly (but by no means entirely) because of the connection with Banksy, I suppose. It's great to see some of the offbeat and interesting things that have been painted when one is wandering about town.

I think this was done by a German duo called Herakut. They may have been in Bedminster for a big street art festival held there called 'Upfest'. I like it a lot.

Bristol wood carving workshop

At the weekend, I oversaw a woodcarving workshop for my driving instructor at a staff social that he and his family were running. A really nice idea - rather than just sitting about talking shop, an activity is run at each social so that the staff can try out different skills, with their families. There were about 15 people in all and everyone got stuck in and had a go at relief carving some nice pieces of seasoned oak and sweet chestnut. They all seemed very happy with what they made and even an unexpected hailstorm didn't dampen the occasion. Those who wanted to also had the chance to try carving a spatula with a knife and hook knife.

Thanks to Jeff and his family for inviting me along to run the workshop and, if you need to learn to drive, you can find them at http://www.chequersmotoringschool.co.uk/

A totem pole and a sign

The totem pole is finished and I'm very pleased with it! When installed, 3 metres (10 feet) of it will be above ground and 122 cm (4 feet) below ground. It is carved from British larch. I'm particularly pleased with the portrait at the top, although it had to be carved solely from photos as the pole is a surprise gift for someone I've never met. Hopefully the likeness is close enough!

Another little job recently was making a carved oak sign for St Werburghs City Farm in Bristol, to be fixed onto their new play area. It is a 'thank you' to a former trustee of the farm called Martin Maudesley, who is a local professional storyteller and a very nice guy too. Martin studied aphids as his postdoctoral research, so the sign has an aphid on it as well as a long-taied tit (the latter just because they live in the area and are one of my favourite local birds)