I really should share the outcomes of my classes more often. Look at what one of the sculpture students made.

On the turn

Today I had the second day of a three day school workshop- more on this tomorrow.

I also found out that my bronzes would be ready for Holmfirth artweek (I should have had more faith in the foundry). The wood turner couldn't make me any bases at short notice so it was up to me. Nipped into town after the workshop and found a nice bit of walnut (relatively)cheap as it was bent like a banana. I went back to the studio with it, uncovered the lathe from where it had been buried two or more years ago, cleared a bench, assembled the blooming' thing and managed by some stroke of good fortune to make two very pleasing bases without major incident.






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Dab Hand Project Space

I have been given charge of a fantastic building, with the aim of making it an exciting space for creative people to use however they see fit. The economy is ruined and it means that buildings like this one in Leeds/Bradford area are suddenly most definitely in budget for people like us. If you have a need for some space, or know anyone who might, please ask them to get in touch. Possible uses are as artists studios, rehearsal and/or performance space, conference centre for the arts, you tell me what you want to do and we'll make it happen. Short or long term, as little or as much space as you require. Details follow the images.

A former luxury sports car showroom, the main space is around 11000 sqft, fronted by a 40ft high wall of glass. At the rear two staircases and a lift lead to the mezzanine, with glass-fronted conference rooms and two large open spaces on the mezzanine itself. Beneath the mezzanine are further glass-fronted rooms, ample toilet facilities and a professional kitchen (should you wish to stage a catered event). Also on the ground floor is a canteen-style bar and a reception area. Throughout the floor of the main space there are recessed power points.

The project space is situated between Bradford and Leeds, at the end of the Harrogate road.


Follow on facecloth: http://www.facebook.com/DabHandProjectSpace

Art Market demo

I spent yesterday demonstrating my very large drawing at the Art Market in Holmfirth. I usually do this on the floor so it was a little strange (and tiring) using a ladder. I've got a few of these to make for an exhibition in October, so I'll make use of all the space I've been given charge of in Bradford- the Dab hand project Space, to spread things out and stand well back.
https://www.facebook.com/DabHandProjectSpace

http://theartsmarket.blogspot.co.uk/

I carved this book recently for a local school. They will use it to pass along a line of pupils formed between the school and church, once a year.

Another quick round-up of my latest efforts. starting with a recently completed den project in a local junior school. The den comprises two structures connected by a crawl tunnel. Later the students will plant willow and climbers around the den to encourage it to be transformed into a living structure and be enjoyed indefinitely. A thoroughly enjoyable project.

Next, a Yorkshire rose I was asked to carve into a timber framed building being assembled by York Carpentry in Horbury:

also still on the go is the portrait of J:

We decided to do some clay modelling in the Monday evening life class:

and my self portrait came back from London on Tuesday, only to be preselected for the Threadneedle Prize exhibition on Wednesday, so it's been packaged up and subtly labelled for it's journey back to the big smoke...

Just a couple of things- some footage of me carving the hand- the write-up on youtube explains it. I can't actually embed it in this post, which I think might be because I had my radio on and it's detected some copyrighted music. Heres a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfN4QrhajMI

Also, Yorkshire Life Magazine have written a feature on Denby Dale and included some pictures of my painting class- I'll have to take it in and show them tomorrow.