Ideas for my pieces can come from any number of beginnings. It can come from a single thought or from looking at other works such as pottery or different woodwork. Some pieces have come from the requirements or themes of competition. They all seem to come from a single point and evolve from there. I do not start with a plan put down on paper and stick to it rigidly.
As trite as it may sound some things have to be. The face in the piece of driftwood had to happen as soon as I saw the piece of driftwood. It was there in the wood and had to be encouraged to come out.
Whilst it is nice to make inspiring pieces to present in competitions, one also has to pay for some things like food. I therefore make not only competitive pieces but also a range of functional items for day-to-day use. Not only are they practical, but also have a great deal of appeal in their functionality, both from their shape and form, and also from the timber itself.
