Ive not been making much of anything lately, but I’m currently just enjoying exploring and finding some inspiration. A bit of a recharge! Here’s some interesting details from Skipton Castle. It’s 900 years old!

Just have to carve a pumpkin!

A bit of a spooky shot. Any burglars sneaking around would be in for a fright. #mask #art #woodmask @bsky.art

Some of my wood working tools. These ones are made by Beavercraft. The adze is my favorite!

Still setting up at my new location, and my workshop is almost ready. These often end up hung on a wall, but In ways the joy of these objects for me is in the material, their texture and weight. Occasionally it’s nice to head out to arty shows / festivals use them. Need more of those. #art #artmask

I’m still alive! 😜 We have been in the midst of a move and renovation, so the “studio” has been at a complete standstill for a long while 😔, hoping to be somewhat settled soonish. I need to get back to making.

Here’s most of the process from start to completion with no music.

Well, that’s a bunch of tiny simplified skull pendants made out of olive wood. I quite like how different each one is. 💀🐺 #art #woodcarving #woodjewelry

Just hit 200 followers and I’m amazed that so many are from that artists I’ve admired for years. It’s a bit intimidating knowing you’ve seen my work but getting a follow back from someone I look up to means a lot. Thank you. Still feeling self conscious about posting though! 😅 #art

Inking.

I think I have the look I want eventually. More time consuming for sure! But worth it… I think. I’m actually pretty keen to make a full scale mask version too! #art #woodjewelery #carving

So, a bit of a fun test run, I like the organic look of the wood and how the cracks in the olive wood dictate quite a lot about how the pendants turn out. But I’m in two minds about finishing these. I will be trying out another batch using thicker cuts to add more depth. #art #carving

Starting a small limited run of some olive wood skull pendants. Let’s see how they turn out 🤞 #woodart #art

More doodling and playing with “symbols” looking at one of my older pendants for inspiration. #art #carving #woodwork

Just playing around with some ideas for smaller pendants to carve. Lately I’ve been feeling pulled toward a more macabre vibe, thinking of bringing that into some larger sculptures too. I’m trying to make sense of all these weird, organic shapes and figure out how to simplify and stylize them.

Final final touches .final #art #woodart #carving

Nice and flexible, I’m quite happy with how this experiment is going. #carving #art #woodart

Trying out a new technique and using some old bed slats to make a tongue for my last mask. Sandwiching a piece of leather between it, so that it can be an animated part of the mask when in movement. I just need to smooth it and add a bit more detail. It’ll most likely need stain too. #art #woodwork

Here’s the last shot of this one before I start another project. This year has had a lot of change happening and I’ve been fairly burnt out. But hoping to get to the next project soon! #art #carving #woodwork

Whilst trying to photograph this art mask on the lawn, my partner asked me to carry in the dry sheets. An impromptu photo shoot happened. 😂 #carving #art

This is pretty sad in this day and age. Why these things are allowed to continue to happen is a bit beyond my grasp. Share and sign if you can.

Thinking that I’ll need to await some more wall space before I make any more.

A bit more contrast with this lighting. #carving #woodwork #art

And it’s complete! I think I need to take some time before jumping into another project though. 😅 I think that I’ll take some more shots and angles in different settings and lighting. #art #woodwork #carving

I’m finally on the final steps in the process, this one has taken me ages to complete. Partly due to feeling like I was pushing through a bit of creative block at times. But I think it’s been worth the effort! 😅 #art #woodwork #mask #maskart

I like to leave some witness marks on my work. Often, I find that over smoothing every detail on a something that is meant to be hand made and traditional just feels like it removes some the materials character and authenticity. #art #woodwork

Here’s a final update before I start to work in the final touches. I’ve had to take my time on this one as I’ve had so many life distractions. I’d love to work full time on my art, but it wouldn’t pay my bills 😢🫠 #art #carving

Burning in some design plans and inlaying some veneers #art #carving

Some carving sounds and a bit of the process. One thing about carving out of hard wood is the duration it takes to complete each piece. I tend to use old recycled tools from my grandad’s collection too. So It’s time consuming! But I do love it. #art #carving

Added some more wood to the ears and carved in some details. I’m planning to use a bit of painted detail on this one too, but that may change depending on how the two wood tones work together.

Eyes, nose and some detail work. There’s a lot to do still! #art #woodwork #sculpture

A piece of olive wood for the nose should provide a subtle color contrast from the rose wood. It also smells nice! 😜 #art #sculpture #woodart

Starting on the details and then on to smoothing, I kind of let the wood grain guide this process. #art #artmask #sculpture #carving

I’m loving the contrast of the natural grain with the ply. Since I use waste wood or repurposed chunks, I rarely know what species it is. Does anyone know what the darker wood is here? I’m guessing it’s some kind of rosewood as it’s so dense. #art #carving

Creating the eye “sockets”? I’m actually not sure what I should call them. 😅 #carving #art #woodwork

Nice sunny day to spend carving out the rough form. I managed to get some good time in yesterday carving out the layered block. #art #sculpture #carving

Using many offcuts of wood in this project, it’s not a pretty step, but it has to start somewhere. #art #woodwork #sculpture #carving

Collecting materials for the next project. It does take me a bit of time selecting the right pieces for the job. 😅 #art #carving

Hello! I make sculptures and paintings of mischievous animals (mostly cats) 🐈

Here’s the linkage working, I’ll follow up with another video after this one showing the effect. #art #maskart #carving

A very weird little experiment for my first piece of 2025: “Beedle” 🪲 a sculptural mask made of gourds, driftwood, mountain laurel, paper clay, acrylics & gold leaf. Part of THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S CABINET group exhibition at Arch Enemy Arts! On display Jan 18-Feb 16

I quite like this angle. Brings out the character. 🤪 #art #carving #woodwork

Here’s the latest one! “The Messenger” Acacia and Beech wood. #art #carving now available for sale on my website 😁

It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve been fairly tied up with things lately. But I’m hoping to get back to my art again soon. I still need to get some final pics of my last work, but it’s looking quite interesting in the living room at the moment! #art

Well, I managed to complete it before Christmas! 😁 I’ll be away for the next week, so I’ll try get some in situ shots when I get back. I also managed a name for it: The Guardian of the Way #art

Working on the final details is fun, it’s also one of the things I tend to take a bit more time with and it sets the entire tone of the piece. It’s getting there! 😁 #art #carving #maskart

Staining and paint washing the tones so it feels like it’s all connected. From here it’s on to the final details, although, I’m not sure I’ll get it done before Xmas! 😬 #art #carving

Acacia and beech wood mask. #art #carving

Meh, been struck by the sick today, so I’ll just stay curled up in bed! Here’s a “Christmas worm” made from clay waste. #art