Behind the scenes of my workshop and local area in Cornwall…
Please take a moment to watch this short film (3 mins), it offers insight into the making processes and inspiration behind my art metalwork.
My pieces are born out of a passion for working with metal, telling stories and a love of wildlife. I began my career as a jeweller and use the same traditional metalworking techniques to make automata (mechanical objects) and tableaux. I work with copper, brass and silver along with reclaimed hardwood or driftwood bases. Details are added in enamel and reclaimed tin. I treat all the metal surfaces with a range of patination techniques to produce rich colours.
Patination captures the inherent colours of metal: I use techniques that enhance the natural oxidisation of the surface of copper to get those lovely turquoises or I burn deep reds and browns into the metal with an open flame. Being natural elements, copper and brass work beautifully with hardwood.
I reclaim and use all my waste copper sheet and use recycled wire.
Click on the images below to go directly to my online shop.
I have a life long love of folk tales and have always enjoyed a good blether (Scots for chit chat). The storytelling possibilities and humour of automata are infectious and I have been delighted to apply my fine metalworking skills to this craft. The mechanical parts in my automata really help to bring the pieces to life.
I’m often asked if I can adapt my work for a particular occasion or to suit a certain person. The answer is yes - I’m more than happy to discuss ideas to turn your own story into a personal work of art.