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WOOD
As a sculptor, I have found so many different uses for wood, from chainsaw carving leaving a rough, sketched texture to refined, smooth oak finishes.
Wood is a natural material, which I find blends perfectly with my subject matter. I often layer a sculpted finish on top of a wooden carving; this blend of soft and hard textures achieves a real contrast.
Wood is such a versatile material to use, with a plethora of different species, textures, finishes, colours and strengths. One of my favourite uses is using oak for sea turtle shells. I carve each 'carapace' or shell, individually, making sure to keep the grain direction consistent. Then I create a tight join, curving the wood in the desired direction. This can take some time as making a ridged material look natural is a challenge.
I also use softwood for carvings as it is easier to carve, especially with a chainsaw. I have found using a chainsaw to be a great tool as it creates large sketched lines within a three dimensional sculpture.
I am always looking to push the boundaries with any material I work with, and I am always looking to find new methods and materials to bring a sculpture to life.
I always like to incorporate sculpting in any piece I make, using different types of clay, epoxy putties and adhesives. I almost always sculpt on top of a wooden structure for strength. I tend to use polymer clays for highly detailed surfaces, or an oil based clay which I then can cast in resin, plaster or metal.
Adhesives I like to use for looser, abstract pieces, where I sculpt using a palette knife. Epoxy putties are great for small areas that require a lot of strength whilst paper clays work really well when showing a natural texture or finish.
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