Cotton Carving

read moreI specialise in hand carved lettering, stone carving, and sculpture. I work from a solar-powered studio on the beautiful Radford Mill organic farm near Bath in the South West of England. I make headstones, cremation tablets, house signs, gifts and garden sculptures to commission. I also make Art for the public realm, and sculpture for exhibition. I work in British and Irish limestones, sandstones and slates. I have made work for the National Trust, Bath Abbey, and Memorials by Artists and I have work in the Art and Memory Collection at Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol, and in private collections in America, Japan, and the UK.

read moreI studied sculpture at Bath Academy of Art and went on to an apprenticeship in masonry, carving and stone conservation at Nimbus Conservation, where I worked mostly as an assistant to stone carver and sculptor Laurence Tindall. Laurence also ran a little foundry for casting his own work, so I helped with bronze casting too. After Nimbus I continued as a "journeyman" carver, in the field of stone conservation until 2010, working on projects for English Heritage, The National Trust, and many other public and private clients tasked with the care of historic buildings, churches, and monuments.

read moreMaking memorials is one of the most important and satisfying things I do. This gallery shows the wide range of memorials I have made, but they all began with a friendly consultation and a cup of tea (or coffee!) I begin by listening carefully. Sometimes people know exactly what they want and sometimes it needs teasing out. There is a lot to discuss - stone, lettering, carving, words, rules, and regulations. I will lead you through all the details. Afterward, I make a drawing, which may need several amendments, and when you are happy with the design I apply for permission, then order slate or stone.