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I
have come to call myself a Furniture Maker because that is what I have
largely been called upon to be. I have also been called a chippy, builder,
craftsman, designer, cabinetmaker, sculptor and artist |
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I
love making things. Bringing into existence what is imagined My challenge as a craftsman is to be mindful in the process, watching how the appearing object looks, how it feels |
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I
do love wood but I'm not obsessed with it. Shape interests me more. I love the idea of being ecologically sound, but I'll use what is appropriate for the job, within reason. I believe objects that have been created with care and interest will always look and feel good. Objects and environments have character that directly reflects their maker. When I am recommended by one of my customers it is a great compliment |
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I
have always been interested in rooms, noticing interesting details or
proportions, wondering why some things please my eye and some do not. From the age of nine when I built western saloon type swing doors in my bedroom, through designing houses as a 12 year old aspiring architect, building installations at Art College and now as a furniture maker, my immediate surroundings are under constant scrutiny |
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This
can also be called a Brief History of Time; My Time. I have included links
to external websites that I really enjoy and involve concepts or things
that have influenced me during my life. |
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| 1954 | I was born in Sherborne Dorset & started making things soon after. A remote controlled Dalek being the first I can remember. |
| 1960-66 | Hextable Primary School, Kent. Piano sports, drawing. Beautiful summers, winter snow. |
| 1966-67 | Dartford Grammar School Greek myths, Latin, Architecture, Gymnastics. |
| 1967-72 | Relocated to Loughborough College School. Had to choose between Woodwork and Art for GCE options. Went from Barbara Hepworth to Andy Warhol. Piano sonatas to Pink Floyd. |
| 1972-73 | A1 Art Studio. Trainee illustrator and tea boy. Made my own clothes, played piano in bands, prepared my portfolio for Art College. |
| 1973-74 | Wimbledon College of Art. Foundation Course. Big dreams in the big city. Applied to St Martins contrary to my tutors advice. |
| 1974-77 | St Martins School
of Art. B.A. in Fine Art. Many thanks to my tutor Will
Alsop. for having faith in me. My Daughter Martha was born. |
| 1977-79 | Worked with a builder who was also a Buddhist teacher. Learnt a lot more than I had at college. Helped renovate a Buddhist monastery. Member of the Ecology Party. Bought a Korg M1 synthesiser. |
| 1979-91 | Worked in London as a carpenter. Progressed from putting shelves up for my elderly neighbours to fitting out fashionable shops in Covent Garden. Wealth beckoned and then came the property crash and my dreams of Mercedes sports cars were dashed. My daughter Martha (who had moved with her mother and my best friend, the Artist Ian Gordon, to Donegal soon after she was born) came to stay for two weeks. |
| 1991-96 | Moved to Brighton,
had my lunch breaks on the beach. Heaven. Made some sculptures for a while. |
| 1996-Present | After 3 years looking
for a suitable workshop and having to work from my cellar, eventually
set up 'Woodworks' on Foley Trading Estate. I now trade under my own name
because that's who I am. |
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