More baskets

Every week I'm learning more. Here are photos of the latest project- a real basket made completely of hazel. I love the fact that you use all the branch, the bark for weaving and the inside for the ribs. But it does take hours and hours and is quite physical.

 

 

 

 

Sculpting in soapstone

A friend organised for a group of us to try out sculpture at a local centre for marble sculpting. Luckily for us, Francois Xavier suggested we start with soapstone, since it is much softer to work, and therefore easier for beginners.

We each had a few tools and a lump of soapstone, and were encouraged to make whatever shape we wanted with it. I couldn't immediately identify the final shape, but I knew I wanted to contrast the rough stone, and some areas of polished stone, so I just started at the top and moulded parts of the block, using chisels, files and lastly sandpaper. Here is the result....more of a study than a finished artwork, but I really enjoyed the process - responding to the structure of the stone, working with my hands, creating different textures, discovering the marks you can make on the stone too.