About the Sculptures

My main sculptural aim is to create forms which bring out the beauty of the wood in the living, growing tree. In each sculpture, I try to find a form which interacts and harmonises with the natural colour, grain and form of the wood from which it is carved. I want my sculptural design to become one with the wood in which it lives; to give to the viewer the warmth, flow, colour and tactility that I feel when working within the wood.

Scotland has a rich variety of trees whose woods show widely different characteristics. Natural species include oak, ash, alder, birch, elm, sycamore, Scots pine; many others have been imported and grow well. While our harsh northern climate seldom produces large trees, they must be strong and sturdy to survive. What is more, each tree is individually formed and shaped by its own environment. The soil, sun, wind and rain patterns in which it grew can give rise to wide variations in grain structure, colour and hardness within the same type of tree, and sometimes even within the tree itself.

The wood that I use for my sculpture comes from a variety of sources. Some pieces come from logs from local forests; some from trees felled by friends; others from driftwood washed up by storms onto our local beaches. All are seasoned naturally.

I believe that wood is a unique and wonderful sculptural material. For me, the colour, lustre, warmth, and texture of a finely polished wood sculpture is a joy both to see and to feel. I hope that you too are able to share in this joy.