I first made automata for my 3D Design degree show in Manchester in the 80’s, making a collection of mechanical mules. Fascinated that they were not a horse or a donkey but something in between. Long ears and a stocky form.
Working with wet silver birch , using natural woods bark to bring character to the piece . Working with a draw knife to shape the timber. The mechanics were simple with rotating tales and a head movement.
My work often features horses and although I tend to no longer work with bark on timber. I enjoy carving a horse either for a commissioned piece or for a one off.
French Stable was a recent work where the creation of the building was as important as the characters inside.
Silver Birch Mule
Two Mules
Silver Birch Mule
Stable
The large Stable was made for a public exhibitions. Based on a horse who lives in Old Town that backed into a shed if the weather was bad. The piebald was too nice to be hidden so when the piece was returned I freed him from the box and put him on wheels where he quickly sold and rolled off to live with a customer in Spain.
