FInished and exactly on time (very proud of that). Made in collaboration with Jono Retallick.
Larger format leather quiver embossed, hand cut, formed and stitched. Took a bit of figuring out but came together really well.
New Commission Under way /
New commission under way, involving the scariest moment of my making in a long time - A meter long cut by hand, on a very expensive piece of wet formed leather...deep breaths and sincere prayers.
Woodsman Strap, (full rig). /
Full rig includes custom molded knife sheath. axe loop and gear hitches and belt.
Woodsman Strap /
Commissioned work/ open brief, for a good customer. Always fun when I get to have my own way.
Restoration /
Current work in progress. Rehanging a felling axe. Kinda harder than I hoped but not impossible - although I haven't done the hard bit yet. Think I'll distract myself with some leather work for a while...
Mellors Braces /
Bespoke Braces
Handmade leather braces. I made these as a distraction from a current project that wasn't going so well, (I messed up), but these have become more and more fun and turned out pretty great, and it looks like I've sold a couple of pairs already. I don't mind getting sidetracked It all feeds back into my work, informing me about materials, techniques. Now I'm ready to go back to the 'errant' project.
'Fortitude' /
Wood block print - from limited edition of 5 prints. Why 'Fortitude'? Because sometimes waiting hurts.
Traces /
Somewhere between the mark and the void is the smallest movement, which is where I suspect meaning can be found.
Developing a hunger /
In the process. To get to one drawing I like, I have to make another 50 or so that I don't care for. It's a love hate relationship, whilst I search for marks and gestures which will become the language and dialect. (Yes I have artists tantrums and self diagnosed 'Artist's OCD')
Grand Canyon /
Grand Canyon. America is saturated with such overwhelming landscapes I find myself dizzy.
Fall in Providnce /
Providence is trying to keep me.
Drawing /
Following a stay with a good friends who teach art , I've been thinking about drawing again. There is something I especially love about it over other processes. Specifically where the artist is in direct contact to the medium. There is a revealing of that person, a denuding of pretenses, a sneak peak to the interior world,( for those that have eyes). We get a glimpse of intimate feelings that exist beyond words, moments of doubt, tension, joy and sensuality, and much more.
So in that spirit...here's one of my drawings from over a year ago that I still feel very connected to.
'The wind blows where it pleases...' /
Commissioned weather vane completed, finally! This was an exercise endurance. Yet to be installed, however I'm happy to see it together and done...well almost done...maybe one more coat of wax...
Details matter /
Although it won't necessarily be seen, I like the idea of investing in the work beyond what will be easily noticed. Ok and I'm a little OCD when it comes to my work.
Weather Vane Progression /
I'm excited to be putting this one together after such a long development phase. But as I discover more and more, most work dictates it's own timing regardless of how much I rail against it and try to dictate timing. (This is not me welding, but Chris Johns. That's a skill that's on the list).
Mid Size Attic Lantern /
Completed mid size attic lantern. Loving the feel to working with leather such a great medium.
Attic Lantern /
Wet stamping leather /
Immersing my self in process to explore the material.
Open Studio /
Practicing being a little less secretive about my work and process.
South Wales /
Visual indulgence.