Women In Turning Exhibition

I am unbelievably proud to have had one of my pieces selected for the Turnabout: Women at the Lathe Exhibition in America. The exhibition features twenty six exhibits, a mix of invited and juried pieces. My bowl is one of eleven juried pieces selected from a total of sixty two which were submitted. There will be three exhibitions from January to the end of October.

"Green Dragon". A textured and coloured Ash bowl.

A close up of the textured and coloured rim

A compilation of all exhibits

Ilminster Arts Centre Annual Art Competition

I was really pleased to have been awarded joint 3D winner at Ilminster Arts Centre annual art competition.
This competition has a strong reputation and so there were a lot of entries of a high standard, including a good mix of 2D pictures and 3D sculpture.
I think the judges were interested in work which was slightly unusual and wasn't quite what it appeared to be. My winning piece provided an interesting narrative of organic pod and industrial "waste". A deep hollowed Ash vase was textured then finished with reactive iron paint and rust activator giving the appearance of rusty corrugated iron.
I also entered a vase which was finished with reactive bronze paint and activator, giving a tarnished appearance.
The exhibition is open until 1st September.
All prize winners and those who were highly commended will be given their own exhibition in January 2018. Dates to be announced later!
Ilminster Arts Centre website

Posed with the certificate and vase, with the winning 2D picture in the background

"Rusty iron", the winning piece. It has the appearance of rusty corrugated iron whilst actually made from Ash

In situ for all visitors to see!

"Tarnished bronze", my other entry. Also made from Ash

Some recent turnings. These are the pieces I turned for the Contemporary Craft Exhibition at Town Mill, Lyme Regis. Open every day until 11th April 2017.

Scorched Ash vase with verdigris wax highlighting the grain

Scorched Ash vase with gilt cream highlighting the grain

Scorched Ash vase with gilt cream highlighting the grain

Scorched Ash vase with verdigris wax highlighting the grain. Slightly smaller than the other vases

Scorched Ash vase with liming wax highlighting the grain

Scorched Ash vase with liming wax highlighting the grain

Scorched Ash vase with verdigris wax highlighting the grain

Oak platter with beaded and scorched rim with verdigris wax highlighting the grain

Rustic Oak platter with textured and scorched rim

Small Ash bowl, beaded and scorched

Figured Ash bowl, beaded and scorched

I was very pleased to be invited to demonstrate at Test Valley Turners earlier this week. I was made very welcome by a very friendly club. I made one of my hollowed vases out of Ash which I scorched and highlighted the grain with verdigris wax. Here are some photos from the evening:

Showing my sanding ball and how it works

Using the sanding ball to sand inside the vase

The audience watching very intently!

Scorching the hollowed and sanded vase

The finished vase with verdigris wax highlighting the grain

Town Mill, Lyme Regis

I spent the weekend demonstrating in the courtyard of Town Mill in Lyme Regis. Lots of people came over and were interested to see how I make and decorate my bowls. Obviously it was entirely weather dependent! I will be there again during the August bank holiday weekend, hopefully it wont rain!

Thanks to Bernie for the photos!

I have been experimenting further with the reactive metallic paint. More ideas using the copper and bronze paint plus my first use of the iron paint. The method of using this one is different to the other two but I am pleased with the result so far.

A development of the inspiration from Marcel van Berkel with tarnished bronze finish

Also inspired by Marcel van Berkel with tarnished copper finish

"Rusty corrugated iron"

"Tarnished copper pipe"

Tarnished bronze

May Day bank holiday...

My first fair of the year was on Bank Holiday Monday in a marquee outside the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis. Just over the sea wall and ideally situated to entice all the bank holiday visitors and locals who enjoy walking along the now extended sea front path......  Unfortunately the weather had other ideas...

It was freezing cold (two duvet coats!), raining and blowing a hoolie! Hats off (literally!) to everyone who braved the elements and did the walk anyway, visiting us on route.

The next fair is this weekend at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis. The forecast is much more favourable and might even be quite warm! Hopefully we will be really busy!

I was lucky to have two tables to spread out on!

My new style vases proved very popular

Some rustic fruit bowls - textured and scorched

Food serving bowls and fruit bowls. Lovely Ash!