background
I set out originally to be a furniture designer. I graduated with a Masters degree from the the Royal College of Art and set up a workshop producing various small designs for selling in shops, as well as some commission work, and pieces for galleries and exhibitions. My most popular work at this time was produced in limited edition small runs - including sets of shelves in the form of red Baron-style aeroplanes (which were developed from a series of more futuristic aeroplane shelves made whilst at college and which seemed to prompt many imitators!); my "Cricketer" clock, which was available from fairly many outlets in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Design Centre; and a jewellery box in the form of an old-fashioned padlock, as well as various other shelves and clocks which were produced in small runs together with the occasional larger piece of furniture such as a bed or cupboard.
current work
The marquetry-style work used to produce the figures on the cricket clock and similar pieces was also the style which I began to use in some pieces of furniture to introduce intricate focal points of decoration.
Originally, the technique involved me staining and colouring wood grain on relatively small images to form small pictures. I have developed this to produce larger panels that could be used in many ways - as features on pieces of furniture, or displayed as individual pictures. I am now able to make stable and durable relief panels that can be quite large and very colourful - art in their own right. I think of these pieces as being a form of 3-dimensional marquetry involving a lot of carving and shaping work in the building of the picture. The use of solid colour as opposed to transparent stain was to me an exciting development that greatly extended the possibilities of picture-making. Having furniture making as a background, I still seek to combine art and function. I see a potential for including the decorative panels in superior kitchen units, bedheads and panels. I have produced some panels for this purpose which I consider to have worked very successfully.
technique
The first stage is to produce a suitable image that will work well as a design, and that will be effective when carved and coloured. Although I can work from photographs, I find it easier to work from my own observation and imagination. I want my art work to be original, to reflect my style of work and my outlook on the world as well as the commissioned subject. Next, the initial sketches have to become a precise drawing, which forms the basis of the panel. The situation of the panel, cleaning opportunities and wear must be considered - for this reason, a kitchen door panel would usually be of a simpler design while a wall panel would allow more freedom in its depth and intricacy of design. The panel is then cut, carved and coloured, which takes time proportionate to the size and intricacy of the pattern and image.
timescale
A medium-sized panel (about 24 by 30 inches) could take at least two solid weeks to create. This time is usually set out over a longer period, as I find it necessary to "live" with the piece and to return to it until completely satisfied with the final result. A series of similar images (such as those which would form a kitchen) have elements of replication which does help with speed, but this is limited by the fact that all work is done by hand. A typical kitchen (8-10 kitchen door panels and accompanying frames) would take approximately 3-4 weeks to create, and my prices reflect this timescale.
pricing
For guide pricing, a typical kitchen door panel would cost between £300 to £400, and my larger relief pictures from £1200. Please contact me for individual prices and comissions.