I have been very fortunate throughout my career in that I have been able to follow my heart. I wanted to be an artist or a sculptor when I left school but alas not enough qualifications to get into Art College. I fell into a Bricklaying Apprenticeship and absolutely loved it. Being able to learn Geometry and create patterns and sculptural forms by stacking bricks together was a great creative process for me and I thrived at it.
I picked the brains of as many craftsmen as I could and learned from the masters of their craft. This gradually led me into the joys of historic buildings and vernacular architecture. I love being able to use local materials to create a particular local style which we find throughout our historic environment, both home and abroad.
My desire for more knowledge led me to take a Degree In Historic Building Conservation (RICS). My love & passion for historic buildings and their related crafts has in later years led me in to pursuing stone carving to a more intensive level.
My inspiration comes from my personal journey and the many artistic styles that have developed over time including Sacred Geometry, Pictish, Celtic, Norse/Viking, Islamic, Romanesque & Classical. The natural world also plays an integral part in the process and provides endless opportunities to create sculpture and relief carvings.
I am fascinated by geology and the usable materials that are under our feet. This country is blessed with good quality stone all with their own intrinsic qualities. The majority of my work uses UK Stones including Portland Limestone, Purbeck Marble, Bath Stone & Welsh Slate.
The vast majority of my work is Handcarved using time honoured methods. I love the direct contact and feel of the weight of the chisel making the desired impression on the stone. Slowly surely chipping away to create the desired affect. I love the textures that can be created by using various chisels and applied techniques. The whole process is a union of the senses for me and akin to deep meditation.
I certainly hope you enjoy my art as it is made with a lot of love, careful consideration, hours of concentration and dedication. I feel that I am privileged to be able to leave my mark on something that will hopefully be seen and appreciated for generations to come.
Stone carver and a Historic Building Specialist, Ray is a familiar face at the Dorset
Arts Festival. He now turns his skill towards creating stunning natural forms from
alabaster which are on show in the gallery; the translucency and beauty of the
carving and material has to be seen.