From stone to a lasting tribute…
This stylised ammonite was a meaningful choice for the commissioned headstone for my client’s husband, Peter. It was crafted from Portland stone — Portland was a special place for the both, as the couple had had their honeymoon there. Peter, was a passionate fossil collector and I wanted to use the shape of the ammonite to symbolise the spiral of life as well as his character and passion.
To be installed facing southwest, the headstone would receive limited sunlight, especially during winter. To better illuminate it, I suggested raising the letters and angling the front surface 6 degrees from two-thirds up, allowing light to catch the lettering from above more effectively depending on the position of the sun.
The client also wanted space for her name for the future, so I designed ample width for this. To be able to raise the new name without adding a bulge, I used a mix of flat and curved surfaces creating an optical illusion of a balanced appearance from all the sides of the stone.
Each step of the process was done using traditional tools - a mallet, chisels, and a polishing stone. I shaped every part meticulously, to achieve a natural finish.
Portland stone’s enduring quality ensures a tribute that will last for generations, blending timeless beauty with personal meaning.
Collaboration between 3D technology and clay
The clay model was sculpted with a 3D printed prototype as reference to ensure high accuracy.
The 1:1 size prototype PLA print was created after scanning the head of the client. This 3D printed model served as the perfect foundation, allowing me to transfer exact measurements to the clay model using calipers. The clay model was carefully shaped by hand, but it was left unfired to maintain its malleability and allow for further adjustments if needed.
The next step will be to transfer the clay model into a bronze cast, which will preserve the intricacies of the original sculpture. From there, the same model will serve as the template for carving the final piece in marble. This process ensures that every detail from the clay prototype is faithfully captured, creating a unique portrait in stone.
The client's head was carefully 3D-scanned and printed to life-size in vibrant red PLA. Using this as a guide, I sculpted the clay version accurately capturing every detail.
The final result, after the clay had dried, was a carefully detailed sculpture.
Work in progress…
Some recent samples of my letter carving are displayed at the PSQT Gallery in Portland, where I’ve captured part of a poem in Portland stone. Alongside this, I’ve been exploring candle holders and ornamental designs through low-relief carving - testing patterns and textures.
Preparation
"Where many thousand ships have sailed by, But knew us not, and therefore let us lie." This is an excerpt from the poem Inscription for a War by English poet Richard Le Gallienne
Ready to carve...
Traditional Letter Carving Demonstration at the 2022 NAMM Exhibition, Rugby In 2022, I had the honor of demonstrating traditional letter carving at the NAMM Exhibition in Rugby, Warwick.
As an apprentice, my journey into letter carving was met with a truly special moment when my work received high commendation from the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM). This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me
It's an honor to have my work currently on display at the PSQT Gallery in Portland.
Just a sample...
This low-relief carving is a sample for a garden sculpture
Making a silicon mould
