2019 Forest Toys Adventure . A Horses commission took me to the New Forrest. I had a real adventure and discovered who made Peters mother ! This lovely carved wooden figure my friend had of his mother was verified to be have been made by Frank Whittington (1876-1973). An artist and wood-carver who set up a toy making business in the New Forest at the end of the First World War. The Forest Toys factory became renowned for its beautifully observed painted wooden animals. I had repaired the arm of Peters mother . When Roz the warden showed me St Francis in Brockenhurst church by Whittington and told me about Forest Toys and Peter told me his mother was from Brockenhurst I recognised the same craftsman’s touch.
2018 Wonky Donkey for Hastings Pier.
A sea side related commission for Cabaret Mechanical Theatre . Because I enjoy making wooden mules I thought a sea side donkey would be an ideal piece for this exhibition that was to be shown on the new pier. Childhood memories of gripping tightly onto the bar of the saddle came flooding back and the slow pace in which donkeys moved.
I decided to call the donkey after my inspirational friend Glenys Jaques who lived in Hastings and embossed her name on the saddle blanket.
I put together a short film to show how the piece came together. Link here
2017 New works for Art UnPacked.
THE STABLE, THE POTING SHED & THE HEN HOUSE
On a sheds theme three automata were part of super touring exhibition called Marvellous Mechanicals - A celebration of the makers and tinkerers who explore movement in their art. Curated by Grace Whowell for Chrysalis Arts.
Showing at Craven Museum & Gallery, Catterick Library , Platform Gallery, Clitheroe . I enjoyed being part of a show with famous makers.
2016 My Pecking Hens automata features in the October edition of Crafts Magazine in an interesting article by Annabelle Cambell on the History of Automata.
