follow your nose

I was invited by Dr. Geoffrey Farrer- Brown to contribute to an exhibition by selected artists exploring the power of a dog's nose, and its use in medical detection. Above is the first of 3 wax maquettes looking at how a dog's movement and pose support this action of following a scent.

The Medical Detection Dogs charity, which this touring exhibition project will support, used a similar image as its logo.

A third maquette - I like the curve of his back and tail, and the very active turn up of head and paw.
One of these 3 will be developed further into a life size bronze sculpture, to greet people when they enter the exhibition. Which one will it be?

Sculptures in the magical setting of Dipley Mill Gardens - 20 & 21 July 2013

                                          Stork

My last of three solo shows in beautiful gardens this spring/summer was the most magical. It really was a wonderful collaboration with Rose McMonigall who has lovingly shaped and developed these gardens.  I hope the pictures speak for themselves.

                                          Zachte Kracht, from far

                                          and close by

                                          Scrabble in the mill stream

More images of the event at dean manor gardens

Rover (new title),

My Body  (said the swan), appropriately by the pool,

Ganzebord Gans (ganzebord is a Dutch boardgame, where players become geese, living the life of a goose with all the good and mis-fortune this entails, such as falling in love and falling in a well)

Mother Hubbard's Dog (up to his tricks again)

Hare after Ts'ui Po (the latter inspired the pose in a painting)

and Big Ears ( everybody's favorite)

Finally "sentry".

Sculptures at Dean Manor Gardens

I had the good fortune to exhibit in the beautiful gardens of Dean Manor, nr. Chipping Norton this last weekend. This stork is I think my favorite image; garden and sculpture coming together in a most extraordinary way .

"Scrabble" was at the entrance, inviting visitors into the gardens....

Daun Russell (above), and the Raven pair (below) making the most of high vantage points...

While "Roll-up" (above) and Owl of Few Words (below)

found their ideal spaces in the more formal parts of the garden,
the wilder areas were perfect for the hares, falcons, mole and "Wader".

(Photos by Adrienne Craddock)

Bird and Beast Sculptures at Dipley Mill Gardens

The final event of this summer is in the stunning gardens at Dipley Mill in Hampshire, a little way south of Reading. The gardens are created by Rose McMonigall and Vertrosa Garden Design, and are quite romantic with deep borders and wetland areas!

For more information about Dipley Mill go to: 
www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/gardenfinder/garden.aspx?id=19443

or contact: Miss Rose McMonigall   Telephone: 07885 745904
Email: rose@rosemcm.demon.co.uk


I will be there for the duration of the weekend, and plan to be showing 30-40 sculptures.
An event for all garden and sculpture enthusiasts. Don't miss it!

Staffordshire Moorlands Sculpture Safari

This is the first of my 3  solo sculptures-in-gardens events this summer. Please come along and discover!

 Staffordshire Moorlands gardens will be opening in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC):

-       Sweet Cicely Gardens at the Cicely Haughton School, Wetley Rocks                        ST9 0BX

-       Rownall Ridge Gardens at Rownall Ridge, Rownall                                               ST9 0BT

-       Wildacres in Consall Nature Reserve                                                                     ST9 0BE

In all 3 gardens there will be sculptures on show.

During the event, I will be based at Wildacres, where I will show further drawings and examples of my work.

Tickets are £3.00 in advance or at the gate and will entitle entrance to all 3 gardens.

Cream teas will be available at Wildacres, & light refreshments will be on sale at the other two gardens
There will be plant sales at all three locations.

All proceeds from this event will go to the NSPCC service centre in Stoke which provides support to local children and families in crisis.  

  For further details, ring 01782 550258.                                                        

Way of the Roses Sculpture Commission

When a was awarded a new public sculpture commission by Sustrans recently, i was asked to set up a new account specifically for this project. The brief is to design sculpture proposal(s) linking the towns of Low and high Bentham near the Western edge of Yorkshire to the "Way of the Roses" cycle route.

 To follow the development of this project - involving royal bloomers - please visit: www.benthampassingplace.wordpress.com

3 events in gardens this summer

Following on from my last blog, there have been a few small changes with regard to the "traveling circus of exhibitions in gardens" this spring/summer. The event in Devon has been postponed - more about this later.

The events this summer will be:
1. Three Staffordshire Moorlands Gardens Sculpture Safari, nr. Leek on 1 & 2 June, an event supporting the NSPCC
2. An exhibition at Dean in North Oxfordshire on Sunday 23rd June, supporting ROSY (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters) - date to be confirmed
3. Dipley Mill, near Hook in Hampshire, hosting an exhibition on 20 and 21 July, the latter as part of the Open garden Scheme. A creative collaboration with Rose McMonigall, garden designer.

more information will follow....