Sketchbooks now on line


Finally, my sketchbooks for the past two years are now photographed, downloaded and on-line for all to take a peep inside the creative process, a record of what went on in my mind over the past two years for that is what a sketchbook is a visual record, a creative diary, the link is now on the right of the page.

Someone once asked, 'what should I put in my sketchbook for people to see', my answer was simple, your sketchbook is not for people, it is for the artist himself, it is his diary, his bible, on many occasion a source of inspiration and a record of all those thoughts and ideas that pop out of the blue and should be recorded; more often than not, a random thought recorded arises again and again in the future, an idea is spawned and continues to grow over time.


A sketch book is not meant to be neat and tidy, it is not supposed to be filled with beautiful and finished images on every page, it is meant to be whatever the artist puts into it, over time it becomes an integral part of the artists creative process, occasionally there will be the odd picture that you are proud of but generally it is full of everything, poetry, quotes, information, shopping lists and orders from takeaways, bits of paper and tickets, a combination of words and rough pictures of dreams and aspirations all compiled, dated, page numbered and ready for when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself.

Only last week I listened to a frustrated artist who has yet to start his journey telling me that he knew what he was capable of, that he knew what he wanted to do and that his dreams and ideals were so vast he didn't know where to start, I gave him a small wire sculpture that I had made two years ago and suggested firstly that he start small and await the opportunity to grow and secondly to get himself a pad, a book, anything that he could use to write and draw and then turn the page and put the idea to rest while it matures in his brain, until such a time as he was able to recognise something that he had thought of and was ready to do, scribble, write, think, anything and everything that comes to mind.



For any individual granted the gift of a creative spirit there is just too much going on in the brain to allow for any sanity, without a sketchbook to record all of this information one will never get off the starting block, the buddhists have a saying that, 'every journey starts with a single step' for the artist the single step is page one of his sketchbook.

Popular posts from this blog

A Quiet Return It’s been a few years since anything new appeared on this blog. No dramatic exit, no crisis, no grand story — just life unfolding in its own quiet way while I wandered off into a long stretch of creative exploration. I didn’t spend that time chasing expectations or trying to produce anything impressive. In fact, it was the opposite. I let myself make things without pressure, without anticipation, and without any need for an audience. It was a good kind of absence — the sort that gives you space to breathe and rediscover what you enjoy. Along the way, painting slipped out of my hands. Not abandoned in frustration, just… released. It had carried me through many chapters, but eventually it felt like a language I’d said enough in. So I turned to sculpture, almost by accident, and found myself on a long, meandering tour through every material within reach. Papier‑mâché came first — messy, forgiving, and strangely liberating.Foam followed, stubborn but full of possibility.Cardboard had its moment too, proving far more architectural than I expected. Each material taught me something different about form, weight, and patience. And then, gradually, I settled into polymer clay. It felt right — structured but flexible, expressive without demanding perfection. It opened a new path, and with it came another journey: exploring genre, tone, and character in ways paint never quite allowed. So yes, I’ve been away. But not idle.Just quietly occupied in the kind of creative work that doesn’t need announcing. Now the blog returns — not as a relaunch, not as a promise, but simply as a continuation. A place to share what I’ve been shaping, learning, and enjoying along the way. If you’ve found your way back here too, welcome. Let’s see where this next chapter leads.

  A Quiet Return It’s been a few years since anything new appeared on this blog. No dramatic exit, no crisis, no grand story — just life unfolding in its own quiet way while I wandered off into a long stretch of creative exploration. I didn’t spend that time chasing expectations or trying to produce anything impressive. In fact, it was the opposite. I let myself make things without pressure, without anticipation, and without any need for an audience. It was a good kind of absence — the sort that gives you space to breathe and rediscover what you enjoy. Along the way, painting slipped out of my hands. Not abandoned in frustration, just… released. It had carried me through many chapters, but eventually it felt like a language I’d said enough in. So I turned to sculpture, almost by accident, and found myself on a long, meandering tour through every material within reach. Papier‑mâché came first — messy, forgiving, and strangely liberating. Foam followed, stubborn but full of possibili...
Read more

Polymer Clay 01

Image
While searching through the archives I uncovered this snippet from 2016/17. The occasion near my discovery of polymer clay. After two years of watching tutorials, trawling websites, reading fact sheets, gathering tools and materials, and generally soaking up everything I could find about polymer clay, I've finally reached the point where I have a dedicated workspace set up. Which means the real learning can begin. Up until now it's all been preparation. Now I get to make my own mistakes, discover my own solutions, and work my way along a learning curve that, at the moment, doesn't seem to have an end. Over those two years I've come across some incredible artists, particularly those working in jewellery and biomorphic design. One artist who has consistently kept me inspired is Melanie West. Her work has captivated me from the beginning and continues to do so. The incredible work of Melanie West One of the things that immediately drew me to polyme...
Read more

grounding

Image
since 10 March I have been in my own little world, pondering and pottering while the world and its mother, passed me by. I have little need at this moment in time to move at the same pace as everyone else, and, while youngsters on their bikes, supported with stabilisers, and by animals with far less purpose than even I at the moment, I have reorganised my life, sorted out the wheat from the chaff as it were and broken my workload down to a point where I am able to move forward, both as a person and as an artist. My current fixed projects are as varied as they are separated by simple geography, the Glass House restoration and the Film company, Dog Tag Media both based in Scotland and my Autumn Show here in Kendal. My recent contact with Melvyn Bragg is now at an end though not without my realising that there really was no connection between us sufficient as to reap the full benefits of being in contact with such a genuine person, the lack of contact simply of my own making and borne of ...
Read more