Saturday, August 27, 2011

Forms of Karma

I have been working hard on completing my 1st Gallery Collection and it is now complete.



This design is very appealing and when the form is placed on it's edge it can be gently rolled, it will roll back and forward until finding it's own centre, hence the term 'Forms of Karma'.




This series of work has been very enjoyable and the use of pyrography has allowed me to be at peace while being creative.  It is a very rewarding technique and there is a lot to explore.


The series has so many further design opportunities that I feel I will be happy to work with this form for some time.  The individual elements of form, pyrography and mixed media have so many possibilities that it will be very exciting to gradually explore them in the coming months.


Thanks for visiting, LRS.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Busy, Busy, Busy

For the last 10 days or so I been working hard on a number of different projects.

With kind support and encouragement from a dear Friend I am now on the verge of adding the finishing touches to my 1st gallery collection.  The process, experience and creative journey has been tiring, exciting and very rewarding. 

I posted a while back about my new website which has been under construction for sometime.  Much progress has been made and with a few more photos to take it will be ready to launch very soon.  The website will help to tie in well with the gallery collection and serve to provide both as a marketing tool and a showcase for my work.

Finally, I will commence work on another (as yet undisclosed) project.  Another 1st for me, I am very much looking forward to the processes involved and the creative decisions to be made.  It will be a great opportunity for me to put another creative idea into practice, which will inturn improve my skills and knowledge.

There are also a few club outings planned, I am looking forward to one in particular:

G&S Woodworking Show 2011


Rolly Munro will be demonstrating at this event and our club has arranged a minibus.  All I need now is to have seat agreed and reserved, woo hoo!


Thanks for visiting, LRS.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Broxburn Woodcraft Club

This evening was the first of a new social gathering of all of the club members.  It was great to meet a whole bunch of like minded people and to finally be getting back into my local club.


You can check out the clubs website here: Broxburn Woodcraft Club

There are a number of exciting ventures planned for the club and it's members.  The frist of these will be the Strathbrock Craft Fair, a great local event to support the community and a yet to be designated charity.

The club will also be in attendance at Scotland's National Woodworking Show, a great opportunity to present the diverse skills of the club and it's members.  The club will be in attendance both days and are looking for a club woodturner to do some simple demonstrating on the lathe.  I think I may offer my skills, while not professional by a long chalk they will help to support the club and the wider craft of woodturning.  It will be a great opportunity for me to perform some turning in a more professional and organised environment.  It should help with my confidence at turning in front of others and to encourage me to work harder at my tool control and lathe skills.

Thanks for visiting, LRS.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Sanger Time!

My Family and I have returned home having spent 4 days with Mark Sanger and Family.  To say that I feel I have shed a skin and been transformed would be an understatement. 


There are few people in life that have a natural ability to affect me in such a profound way, but my time with Mark has been nothing but a joy and a pleasure.  This was enhanced all the more by being welcomed and received with a great deal of kindness by his Wife Lizi and their 2 beautiful children, Bethany and Bella.


My children also had a fun filled and exciting holiday, which when funds are limited meant so much to them.  They are now happier and more joyful as a result and for that I thank the Sanger Family and Henry and Minnie and Tiggy and Thomas and Boris the Ginga Ninja!!!


Mark and I had such a wonderful and productive time in the workshop.  It has been such an eye opener to have learnt from a turner who I believe is fast becoming the UK's no.1 woodturning artist.  To be in the company of another turner who has such a delicate level of tool control and an insightful and creative mind has touched my soul and made me a happier person.



I would strongly recommend to anyone involved in the Woodturning Craft that if they want to learn, improve, grow and evolve their own skills then time spent with Mark is the only way to go.  A more patient, relaxed and focused turner will be hard to find.

A special thank you to the Sanger Family from the Sneddon Clan, we had such a wonderful time with you all and hope that our paths will once again join in the near future. 


moodwood.co.uk

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Lotus Bowl

'The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.'
Continuing my interest in Buddhism I decided to create a piece that would reflect this but also allow me to exercise my creative side.



I had a lot of fun creating the initial form and a few head scratching moments regarding the base but it worked out fine in the end.


I enjoyed the whole process very much but the pyrography work was especially rewarding.  I did not plan this part of the piece and chose to allow my creative side to run free.


Thank you stopping by.

moodwood.co.uk