a return to admin




It is now 16 weeks since my last Blog Post, it is only now however that I find time to sit such has been the past few months.

Without transcribing my entire Journal for this period I would have difficulty sharing all that has happened during that time, Jessie, my Collie ran away and was missing for some time before being returned safe and sound, my partner sheila became my lodger
as
a snap decision to sell up and move brought her into my space, as if that were not enough to slow down the creative side of life she asked me to project manage the entire process which now settles her into her new home less than 50 metres from my front door; a bitter winter, Flooded town and friends and associates slipping in and out of the light, a birthday, but all of this was nothing compared to my spiritual growth borne of constant miracles.

The overall effect of the months events has brought me to a wonderful slowing down of life in General seeing several works of most personal importance completed, with a new series underway and a mental finalisation of my Exhibition Theme this coming September.

Of most importance to me, the transition between homeless person and settled man has happened without my even realising that such a transition was so necessary, only in retrospect am now I able to remark upon a psychologically state of mind in as much as I was still living life as if I were a homeless person, with this realisation I have set about changing everything, decorating my home, laying floorboards, sorting the studio area into something that is more permanant and manageable.

This sudden explosive change has had a dramatic effect upon my work allowing me to consider specific themes and series of works rather than spontaneous bouts of work, of forced completion borne of a need to be finished as quickly as possible, "just incase" , of most importance I now experience a sense of satisfaction in my work not experienced before now.

Physically the harsh winter has been a real struggle though now with spring most definately here I am able to enjoy a relative freedom from the aches and pains that come with a certain age, psychologically I have become more settled and spiritually I remain in constant amazement and gratitude for answered prayers and the presence of God continually in my life.

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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...
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Polymer Clay 01

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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...
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grounding

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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 ...
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