Final final touches .final #art #woodart #carving

I’m excited to share my finished Púca mask! In Celtic folklore Púcas are mischievous creatures that can shapeshift between multiple forms, including horses, goats, foxes, wolves, and hares. 🌼

Finally got around to making another manatee pendant after 5 years, & I’m so glad I revisited this design! 🥰 I think the little face really brought it to life. I chose Larimar as the centerpiece and wrapped it in oxidized copper wire. It be part of this week’s shop update!🩵

I think I've got my cover sorted now for the next book, launching next month! I'm so excited for this one, the little terrors are already causing havoc in my studio! They're very anxious to go to their new homes. Get notified here: buff.ly/RzCUUDN #monsters #monsterfun #cutemonster #artbook #cute

Hello, I'm a woodcarver, and this what I do ✌️ You can help me a lot by sharing my work, so people can buy or commission me sculptures. Praying for octopus blessings on your life 🐙🙏

I have some time free if anyone wants to commission any bird art - ko-fi.com/c/6911096a6c

Tiger and Magpie Totem 🐯🪶✨ One of my pieces in Nahcotta's upcoming Enormous Tiny Art show! You can sign up for early access here: nahcotta.myflodesk.com/shirley-jack... #art #pottery

I’ve been busy in the studio, but managed to finish this lynx mask in time for PROWL, the cat-themed group show at Inverarity Gallery 😸 This piece is already sold, but you can check out the whole show here: www.inveraritygallery.com/product-cate...

Saving this piece of firewood for the burls. #art #carving #woodwork

Behold the home of the Barghest! Trollers Gill. A limestone ravine where water emerges from a spring which is connected to an ancient cave system called Stump Cross. We tried to traverse it today, but the with the recent rains and snow it was flowing pretty strongly. Very cold water, 4c year round!

Carved a small set of oak pendants. And a waterfall I saw yesterday on a walk.

Lunar cycle depiction. Beech, rosewood and oak.

Finding tiny little hats placed on everything around the house.

Happy winter solstice. Here’s an older work celebrating the suns cyclic rebirth on the longest night.

worm for you

Eat the Corporate Leeches stickers now in my shop! :D abistevens.etsy.com/listing/4419... #ArtShop #anticapitalist #fuckCapitalism #eatTheRich

I FEEL THIS SO MUCH. We all can make it through together, hugs and love to you all! #art #meme #funny #laughcrying #repost

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