Nick Arnull

A Family Day Out

2011-11-27T19:02:00.009Z

Jane and I had a day out planned with Jennifer and lilly-Rose today at Cromer we had a rather lazy start to the day luckily as Victoria my youngest daughter made a suprise home visit and decided to come to with us for the day out.

It was lazy wind today ,One that doesnt bother going around you but goes straight through,

well that is how the winter winds are often refered to around here, as you can see it was a little fresh/bracing on the sea wall at the top of the cliffs.I think Victoria looks a little cold well iot is warmer down in Bath!

We had lunch at the cafe above the pier, fish and chips looking out to sea has to be one of my favorite meals considering the company today, with all my girls together, it allways amazes me just how much they enjoy being together !?

After lunch we wandered around the town keeping out of the wind Lilly-Rose found a friend to chat with in her own special language and even kissed him goodbye.

We had a great day out together and it was nice to see Victoria back from Bath if only for a few days as lectures have been cancelled.

Work And The Winter Ahead.

"WE HAD SNOW THIS TIME LAST YEAR" but not this time!

Its Monday tommorrow and back to work, the book is in its final stages demos are finished for the year I had great fun meeting loads of people at Harrogate woodworking show last weekend sales for the new DVD Ying and Yang are going well if you havent got your copy yet go to KTMP's website and place an order,or give me a call.

I am currently trying to decide how to add a small shopping area to my website, hopefully this will get done over the next few weeks, but I need tyo write two new articles for GMC Woodturning Magazine before Christmas hopefully not too much will get in the way and I will get everything done before Christmas.

I am also starting to work on some new pieces over the winter much of the reasearch is done its onto the cartooons next before committing to turned piece, I think this will include much more carving and colouring than colouring.

I have a question for my Blog readers:Should I take part in The Norfolk Open Studio's scheme next year if you would like to see my work and where I work then let me know.

A long and busy Summer.....

2011-10-16T12:45:00.008+01:00

This has been the busiest year for me, with no time to think of having any spare, it all started back in March as we began writing the book, as the year gained momentum and progressively more intense I had to concentrate upon key deadlines, both for the book and my magazine articles, I also managed find time along the way to edit of my second DVD Ying and Yang, I have just received the final cut and will be releasing Ying and Yang in a few weeks at The Harrogate show, in Novemeber. If you enjoyed my first DVD platter magic give Karl at KTMP or myself a call to get your copy,
The DVD is 5 hours long, and packed with great information and tips, it has been broken down into easy to follow chapters. At £19:99 its great value for money.

I did manage a brief scheduled rest-bite in June, when I travelled to Dublin to judge the annual RDS craft competition for the third time, this is always great to do as you get to see all the other crafts entered as well as your own.

I demonstrated as one of the lead demonstrators at The AWGB Bi-annual symposium at the beginning of August, 10 days later I found myself doing it all over in Waco Texas I am told this is the second largest symposium in America.
No sooner than Jane and I arrived home, it was straight back to the book editss and magazine articles again.

I have travelled across the UK this year to give several all day and evening demonstrations at clubs, it really has been a very busy year.
I also managed to teach quite a few students here in my workshop, its all become a bit of a blur I'm afraid.
The year is not yet over and there is much ahead in my diary. Over the next few weeks I have 15 days of tuition, another article to write before I arrive at Harrogate in November 17th I feel sure the book will also feature in here at some point.
I have an evening Demonstration planned at Bury St Edmunds Nov 14th.
The woodturning club meet at D.J Evans. If you are in the area come along.

Spare time has been a rare commodity this year and something to be relished by doing something special as it is my 50th.
Well last weekend I attended a Three day Painting and Drawing Life course at West Norfolk Arts Centre, with artist Tony Paul from Dorset. This was great as it gave me time to get away and relax, although this was only a brief break. Monday morning it was straight back to work as the first layouts for the book arrived as I was about to leave.
Below is one of my Charcoal drawings that I produced over the three days. This is something I have always wanted to do and this year I feel I managed to achieve my ambition but it is something I would like to do more regularly as it is such fun to create the image you are looking at on paper to capture that moment in time , It was a great escape form the pressure I am currently under for a few days.

I cant wait to do some more iti s such great fun!!!

I will update again soon dealines permitting.

Summer Update and deadlines.

2011-07-01T17:57:00.006+01:00

Well its been a while, I have just returned from Dublin where I judged the Woodturning section for RDS anual craft competition,I am still very busy writting articles doing production spindle turning for clients, demonstratiing at woodturning clubs, then there is the two symposiums to get ready for in August which is getting ever closer, and then there is the main event that is occuping allmost all of my time right now.
In March I started to write a book about woodturning and I am getting towards the end of this project now, only a few more sections to do then I can concentrate on some new work for the symposiums in August.
There are many new ideas in my sketch book/head and I cant wait to start work on them, so its more of the same for the next couple of months. but Hey Ho!
Write a book in three months I must be insane but it does create a controlled routine to meet the tight deadlines!!
When I start work I will try to post some images of the new work in a few weeks.

Deadlines.

2011-04-03T20:47:00.002+01:00

Its Sunday evening and I am currently relaxing, but I am also very busy and will be for the foreseeable future I am working towards one of my busiest years and have agreed to some pretty tight deadlines. The first was last last Tuesday then Friday and the next is on Monday night after that it is at the end of the month and I still have to produce another article check pdf files, as well as prep for two demos in the middle of the month so time for posts is going to be very short for quite a while. I will try to post when I get time but it may not be regular.

Two Halves

2011-03-06T16:48:00.004Z

There has of late been a number of discussions occuring within the Woodturning Forums that are beginning to distract me a bit to much. I have spent the entire Sunday afternoon writing and as I no longer am willing to let this distraction continue; at this point I feel I have said enough and am off to my workshop to see what can be learnt from turning some real wood on my real lathe in my real workshop I have a busy year ahead and really cannot be distracted by irrelevant virtual woodturning related discussions.

As a work collegue always said " Dont talk about it DO IT!"

Have fun and turn and decorate some wood.

Footnote to oneself.
DO NOT CONTINUE TO VIEW INTERNET WOODTURNING FORUMS.

A Long Way For Lunch.

2011-02-24T15:14:00.015Z

Monday was My 50th birthday. I wanted to do something special my wish was simple to eat some good fish in a restaurant overlooking a harbour somewhere along the coast with jane my wife.
Well my wish came true and I couldn't have asked for more I got the opportunity to travel to Cornwall arriving there Monday morning.
We began our journey Sunday morning we we had an easy journey and arrived at our accommodation with plenty of time before dark which is always a bonus when traveling a long way rested then went to find a meal before retiring to bed.

Next day I awoke to my birthday and Jane promised to treat me like A KING so I began to drive towards our destination. When we arrived in Padstow it was starting to rain but that's what the forecast was, so we were prepared and set off for a wander around the town its a very pretty harbour with all the usual tourist shops along the quay, but this town was made famous by a TV Chef Rick Stein he now runs several businesses there one of which is A Fish Restaurant over looking the harbour!!! Well this was why we had travelled to Padstow for lunch considering it is still February there were plenty of tourists about it was half term after all.

We had made no reservations at the Restaurant so felt sure we wouldn't be able to get in but luckily Rick has a Fish and Chip Shop this also has a Restaurant overlooking the Harbour so I was very happy indeed.

I Ordered Grilled Scallop and Sea Bream now how many chippies offer choices like that and I have to say it was very, very nice indeed Jane was quite conservative and had Scampi which she said was also very good.

As we left the chip shop the heavens opened and cut our visit a little short.

We headed for Bath to spend some time with Victoria our youngest daughter she is there studying music and we had another enjoyable meal said our farewells and headed for home and arrived back somewhere after 1 am, and I was no longer KING it had been a long day and I have been tired since but I have just about recovered today.

810 miles for Fish and Chips but it was well worth the road trip.

More News.

2011-02-09T19:46:00.003Z

This time of year I often find myself taking bookings for demos later in the year and this year has been no different, This year is certainly going to be busy.
I have been invited to demonstrate at two trade shows one at Springfield's and the second at Harrogate, a local group (Norwich Wood turning Club) has also invited me along these should all be great fun I am also off to Dublin to judge the (RDS) Royal Dublin Society's annual craft competition (wood turning section) I have enjoyed this a great deal in the past and look forward to doing it again,the interaction with all those involved is both interesting and stimulating as all the judges get to network and view all the other sections which is so much fun I cant begin to explain the buzz I get.

Another Year !!!

2011-01-19T14:23:00.004Z

Well its 2011. Another year gone.

This is going to be a big year for me next month I am fifty this is a year that means a great deal to me, its also the year I will be demontrating woodturning at the AWGB International seminar in Loughbourough and a few weeks later I will be doing it all over again at SWAT in Waco Texas so this year is going to be very busy, I am desperatly trying to develope some new work and ideas whilst currently trying to get ahead with the Articles we (Jane and myself) write for the work Woodturning magazine.

I havent had any new images for you lately but that may well change in a while keep checking in and see what I am up to who knows there may be a new regiem to report about if I have the energy I will definatly take some pictures.

We have had some pretty rough weather before New Year so here is an image for you to remind you of what we endured at the end of last year.

October 2010 Latest Works

2010-10-12T17:38:00.005+01:00

I have been desperatly busy trying to get these pieces finished before I go to France tomorrow,

So here they are after many interuptions the image is not award winning but will show you the new pieces which are currently unnamed.

This group has specific inspiration sources,can you see them?

Comments needed what do you think.
Please comment dont just view.

Brief Update

2010-10-06T18:54:00.004+01:00

Time is short so I will give you some bullet points. Sorry no images right now maybe in a week or two
My trip to Ireland went very well at the beginning of the summer.
I then had a some time out to catch up on some of the chores around the house/garden this went on for a little longer than intended following an event beyond my control.
I have several Club Demos booked here in the UK.
2011.
I have received two invitations for international symposiums next year both have been accepted so August is going to be very busy indeed, the work starts now creating new work the first piece is almost finished and the second is beginning to come together its always refreshing to start on new pieces as there is no telling where they may take me.

This weekend is very busy starting tomorow with an evening Demo in Suffolk.
I'm not sure how I am going to fit in everything I need before a trip to France next week.

Time For An Update

2010-09-24T20:50:00.003+01:00

Coming soon it's long over due and there is much to post next week I must think about my postings there is news and thoughts but also questions and concerns to be posted.come back soon and read the update. /there may reven be some images but I am unsureright now!

Busy Times......

2010-06-16T09:09:00.005+01:00

Hectic and busy why is it feast and famin for the self employed, I dont think I will ever work that one out.

DVD made and released if you are interested in "Platter Magic" my first Double DVD then contact myself or KTMP for avaiability.
Lots of work the usual production stuff, magazine deadline date aproaching,
getting ready for a trip to Irerland to judge the RDS( Royal Dublin Society)annual competion followed by a masterclass for four days then A demo at the Dublin chapter so plenty to keep me busy.
There are also updates to do for the website when I get a second.
When I return its another article and more of the same.

Large Table Base

2010-05-27T20:16:00.005+01:00

Its not every day that a job of this diameter comes into my workshop it was 18"x 14" the brief was simple turn it parallel and put a 2" spigot on one end, my Wadkin was more than happy with the blank. And so was the client when it was collected.

My granddaughter was fascinated to watch from a safe distance with my wife keeping a watch full eye.

Lilly Rose is two so she is not allowed into the workshop without close supervision. I wonder if she will become a wood turner when she gets older? She loves to carry a note pad and pen it keeps her happy for hours so maybe she will become an artist who knows.

What Value Art ?

2010-04-25T18:51:00.004+01:00

There has often been discussions regarding what is perceived as ART this discussion is one that I usually avoid, but today I saw a small section of a TV programme aimed at an individual that had seen there worldly goods seized by a Bailiff to settle outstanding debts, the goods then went into an auction room and were valued by the auctioneer.
There were amongst these belongings some large modern paintings (4ft plus) these were valued at nothing more than the price of the canvas not the ART on the canvas this made me think!

Without provenance or name what is Art really worth ?

Question.
If creating MODERN ARTWORK should it stand alone or does it require intellectual substantiation.( what happens when the artist statement is no longer available) Think of the canvases standing in the auction room with diminished value.

First Demo of the Year Done

2010-02-14T19:06:00.009Z

Following my demontration yesterday at Bedford Saws and tools Woodturning Club I have recieved an e-mail that I would like to share with you all it echo's somthing I ofen hear after a demo, I have also included some pictures the gentleman sent me as I simply forgot to take any,it was a very busy day.

"Dear Nick, in the past I have not been too keen on colouring or texturing wood turnings but at your demo I was quite impressed with the results and could be tempted to try it."

The piece below was inspired by Clarice Cliffe and shows me hard at work in Bedford, airbrushing the piece and the finished piece below ,before it was removed from the lathe.

The image below shows one of the stages in the production of one of my pieces from the "Coral Series" using an air turbine, its always great fun to see how the audience reacts as I start to work with the dental drill/burrs.

I enjoyed my day with an interesting club, its always great to meet up with old freinds and make new ones along with helping to change the views of those that in the past have not altogether liked the coloured work that has seen previously, maybe its my aroach or something is changing in the world of what people find acceptable as decorated turned work,who knows but there certainly is more people being atracted to and having a go at coulred and decorated work.

Now all I have to do is focus on my next series of demontrations in early March over in Ireland.

The Days are rolling by.

2010-02-04T17:21:00.009Z

January is always a difficult month for me there is usually a lul in production turning and things are normally pretty quite.

Nothing new for this year then, there is however a dramatic rise in students looking for and booking wood turning tuition, which is great this early in the year which is shaping up pretty well and I need to be be very careful how I manage my time, in this first half not forgetting to allow time for things that we Jane and myself want to do,that is not always easy.

Lets hope the weather improves as the days begin to get longer it has been a tough few months for cold miserable weather and now the snow has gone we are entering a damp period, which I find particularly depressing!

I have some interesting ideas for new works this year & I have been busy with my sketch book so keep your eyes open.

I keep promising to post some images of recent work and I will, it is not always easy with magazine deadlines and publishing dates.As there can be conflict but 2.& 3 are from recent articles written for GMC Woodturning magazine. The third piece ( The Ginger Jar) I am particularly exited by as it does not appear to be round but faceted.

1.The coral series.

2.The Rocket Box.

3.The Ginger Jar.(my latestpiece and article for GMC )

I also thought I would show you one of my watercolours from last year.This was my mothers day gift for my mother last year.

I also did some paintings as Christmas gifts and they went down very well.We all need a hobby when time allows.

I will try to post again soon but I must head to the workshop and play as the ideas are beginning to flood out of my mind and there is only so many hours in the day with good natural light..

New Year - New Directions.

2010-01-22T10:16:00.007Z

Belated seasons greetings to all and appologies for my lack of posts but when things get busy work comes first. The year ahead is shaping up well with demos around the UK and Europe, so time will need to be managed carefully to avoide missing magazine deadlines and commitments already made.
After many requests I will be making a DVD in April, followed in May with a two day decorating/turning course at Hunters Lodge in Lincolnshire with KTMP if you are interested in the course/DVD's contact Karl Tickle at http://www.ktmp.co.uk/ .
The course should be fun with the incresed interest there is in decorating wood there is a march away from the round and brown amongst the turning fraternaty here in the UK.
I will endevour to make regular posts through the comming year with images of my new work when possible, the demo year starts early for me in Febuary at Bedford Saws.

Its not white

2009-10-03T20:36:00.008+01:00

I finally gave in and brought a new van, well second hand low milage all because my old nissan was going to cost me some more serious money, I have wanted to go back to a diesel engine for ages now, its what I enjoy driving these days.

The Nissan lasted me 7 yearsso I cant realy complain.so from now on its a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 DI.

I can still dream about other things can't I !.

Is it real or a kit car? Who cares it looked very good to me one day during the summer.

An Empty Nest

2009-09-27T17:35:00.003+01:00

Yesterday Victoria left for Uni at Bath,
Jane and I are now alone here in Horsford which has left us feeling a little odd, now we have only each other to blame for light left on or things left were they shouldnt be, and there will be no more waiting for her to get home.
Life is going to change for us all, both here and in Bath, as we will not be there to run after her; it will be an interesting learning curve for us all but one more than the others, I feel sure she will cope and thrive, we will stay in touch using the internet, I remember my first days at Art school when I stayed away for the week at a time, she is away until I'm not sure when, Christmas? who knows,time only will tell.

25th Wedding Aniversary.

2009-09-01T13:26:00.003+01:00

Today September 1st at 4:30 twenty five years ago Jane and I were married so today is our 25th Wedding Aniversary and we are trying to spend it together!

Time is never Enough

2009-08-15T09:07:00.007+01:00

I know its been a while since I last posted and I will draw a line under the early part of the year as there seems little point writing about old events .

August 6th 7th & 8th saw the Bi- Annual seminar for the AWGB held at Loughborough which I attended and submitted work for the instant gallery I had a piece selected for the top fifty in the gallery again, which I was pleased to achieve a Bowl with a deecorated rim, I had submitted some other interesting pieces which you can see here I will post an image of the bowl when it is returned as it is at present away being photographed.

I did notice there is a great increase in the amount of coloured work that was displayed in the gallery compared to years past.

Friday saw the First ever internet auction to which I donated a piece from the Coral series which raised £340 for the cause The Youth Ttraining Scheme. The auction raised twelve and a half thousand pounds in total.

The weekend was informative, interesting and enjoyable, meeting old friends and having time to relax is always welcomed the Demo I gave on Sunday before lunch went well and was enjoyed so I was both happy and relieved.

The weekend always leaves me feeling tired and with mixed emotions as it only occurs once every two years. It answers questions and sets the mind in different/new directions this year the hot item for me is micromotors!

Nag Nag Nag!!

2009-05-11T11:08:00.002+01:00

Well I deserve the above for not posting anything for some time but I will endevour to correct this shortly hopefully by the end of the week there is much work ahead of me so if it does not appear keep nagging and I will get it done.
I do so enjoy the postings but sometimes other thing must take priority. today it is another article for GMC Woodturning magazine, and the last part of my website rebuild which is almost there! Phew!. Thats three days work without doing any turning and then withdrawl sets in..

Last Weekends Trip To Ireland

2009-03-29T16:27:00.022+01:00

Following an invitation to demonstrate in Sligo Jane and I flew to Knock on Friday 20th where we were hosted by some great Irish folk who showed us the best of local hospitality.

The demonstration took place in a members workshop. Thanks John, this is the usual way the club gets together each meeting.

This is john's closest neighbour and the view from just outsidethe workshop.

I quite like the isolation I have at my workshop but this is even more so than mine.

When needed the group got intamate to get a closer look at what I was doing.This happened several timesthey seemed extreemly interested in the type of decoration/colouring that I was doing.

The woodburner(front right) was used to heat the workshop.

I worked all day Saturday and Sunday morning after work we were shown some of the local attractions and found the area interesting even though I was not feeling on top of the world having come down with a nasty cold which went to my ears and caused a loss of voice which made things interesting to say the least it did make communication very frustrating at times towards the end of the weekend.

The cold was so bad when I returned home I went to the Doctor where he perscribed some serious medication for any infection that I was likely to develope following the flight home, my voice is at long last slowly returning but it is still hard work to speak and impossible not to do so.

Below are some pictures we took during our trip to Sligo and the local area.

We had bright sunny days,

Coastal views,Castles,ruins and even some stunning trees that had a very strange quality.

The atlantic Ocean at a quite time!

We are usually so lucky when we travel to new and interesting places.

This is a rebuilt/restored castle on lake shore.

Ireland is full of ruins like this but I particulry liked the cloisters at this riun.It was interesting to see the site is still being used for interment.

It was also good to see it being maintained.

If you look closely you can see a plane coming into land a knock airport t's not the disimilar to

Norwich some years ago a small airport uthat is currently under development which is no bad thing today.

I may post some more images in a day or two once I have edited them I will try to find images showing the the trees with the moss hanging off them.

The trip was great fun and we hope to go again hopefully to meet some more of the Irish turning community.

Thank you To the Sligo Chapter and especially my hosts you know who you are thank you again.

A busy week

2009-03-17T18:59:00.002Z

As always the time goes so quick, the days just dont seem long enough and need to be longer the eary starts are paying off and the work is getting done ready for the weekend and the demo in Sligo Southern Ierland.There is still much to do so its back to the workshop after tea tonight.

Me and my Schnauzers

2009-03-05T17:44:00.004Z

Here is a picture of me with my dogs outside my workshop Sammy left and Joshua right.

The boys rarely came into the workshop but would bark at the door for attention.

They are both sadly missed , they were with us for nearly sixteen years they enjoyed life and had lots of fun.

The house is so very quite now.

March Has Arrived

2009-03-02T20:16:00.008Z

The last few weeks have been a little odd having buried our old schnauzer Sammy on Febuary 20th the place seems terribly quite without him but after 15 years that is to be expected,when not working we have tried to keep busy and this weekend I went and removed a tree from my mothers garden, it took quite a time to do as there is always something else that needs attention. Jane helped me clear up on Saturday afternoon.
The tree went to the dump.

"But Jane started filling the compost bin quite modestly!"

It was hard work we did have some fun, and Jane always likes to get stuck in to work like this so long as I do not push her too hard. We cut we chopped, we raked and brushed Jane helped crushing things into the wheelie bin until it was absolutely full as you can see in the pictures she does get carried away sometimes and I never try to hold her back.

Eventually Jane could get no more into the compost bin so climbed in to crush down the contents and allow us to fill it some more,

And it was full when she had finished!

All we have to do now is attack our own garden as it needs some TLC after the winter months, so I guess that's what we will be doing this coming weekend weather permitting.

There is never anything more satisfying than working together with my wife.

March Is Not Far Away.

2009-02-26T18:29:00.005Z

We seem to have shaken the winter bugs at long last I do hope I haven't spoken too soon but the sun is out and we are feeling so much better than we have for a long time.Lets hope the good weather continues as bright as it's been today.
I managed to scrounge wet Ash and Silver Birch logs today so with luck can try some experimental tunings in the next day or two distractions avoided who knows where the Ash may be heading, I have a few ideas, I just have to shut the door and get on with it, as SWMBO says far to often to me. We used to have a guy working with us who also said far to often "don't say it do it " I think all to often we procrastinate about things and on many occasions it would be better to just hit these issues head on to resolve the problems that may arise as things progress.

Spring is around the corner. Hopefully!

2009-02-11T15:11:00.010Z

We Have Been Ill Again!.

I know it has been some time since my last post but my wife and I have been ill again these winter bugs just won't go away no sooner you think you are over one than another appears, I have not been as bad as Jane but I do feel run down with no energy to get on with the work that I have/want to do still spring is approaching so things will get better I guess.

Plans For the Spring.

Last year I had a visit from some people from Sligo in Ireland, I mentioned that I would like to visit Ireland for a holiday.They however have decided to invite me to demonstrate at their club. The only problem with these trips is Jane gets see the sites while I work but as we are going for a long weekend I will get to see some as well. Ireland here I come this should be a fun trip.

Ongoing Everyday Work And Aspirations.

As always I have been working on my articles for GMC I am really exited about this current series.
Having been ill the website took a back seat but it is on a roll again it only needs a few more pics and another look over to get it finished before I can get it across to the guys I use, and it will be there but it does take time and we need all the info to be correct.

Here are links to blogs that may be of interest to you they both ask some interesting questions : http://woodturningblog.wordpress.com/
http://www.philip-streeting.blogspot.com/

Christmas and New Year.Gone

2009-01-13T18:03:00.006Z

Allways a busy time with work promised and family calling it is impossible to sit down and write add to that the ongoing round of winter colds that hang on and seem to never leave for any lenght of time trying to update my blog has been impossible over the last few weeks or is it longer,now I will try to get on top again as I really enjoy doing this I find it helps me with my writing for GMC and allows the hand to nearly move as quick as the brain! well not quite but you know what I mean the fingers are getting much quicker and I seem to find the letters more easily than they used too.

Christmas and New Year Done.

2009-01-13T18:03:00.005Z

January 13th Already and the new year is rolling on.But as I have not yet wished everyone new year let me do it now and start this years blog by reflecting on last year, which was a great year I gave many demonstrations around the UK which seem to have been received very well by those that attended, I have already got quite a few booked for this year and look forward to each and every one.

Invitation to South Africa

I have to admit the highlight of the year came in July for demonstration's and this was a three week tour of Sth Africa as their honoured guest which I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by Jane my wife which made the trip even more fun (our first holiday together for more than twenty year's)
I have to say the Sth Africans are amazing hosts and we would love to go back to see more of the country and the people. Jane loved every minute and had a great holiday! I had to work, still someone has to pay and it was my turn, I think we will go again if ever the chance came our way with out a second thought.

A Small Bundle of Happiness and Joy Arrived in May

Another highlight in the Year was becoming grandparents to Lilly Rose Jennifer's daughter who was born in May this was quite an event and one that took some time to get used to for all concerned so it was quite a year lets hope this coming year is equally challenging and demanding we can but wait and see.

The Year ahead

I think this could be a very interesting year with all that is going on in the world at present people have finally stopped talking credit crunch which I never understood and started using a word that often strikes fear into people and that is Recession I wonder what phrase or word will be used next I do remember the 1990's and the business's around us that went to the wall. We were lucky enough to survive without losing too much but I have to say I no longer trust dept recovery agents it doe's pay to keep hold of the purse strings in times like these and not to get carried away with the moment as can easily be done when new projects are being rolled out or planned.
I think the best way ahead at present is to keep your head down and to get on with the job in hand keeping an eager eye on those around you and listening to the rumour mills do what is needed to survive remembering the point to all that is done and we all have different agenda's I will say no more for now but keep watching you will find out more at a later date.
I may even get to update my website who knows it is that time of year to get it done!!! About time I hear some say if you have any ideas that you would like to see on the site let me know and I will see what can be done.

After the Residancy

2008-12-15T17:41:00.005Z

All packed up sales made and the work back at the workshop ,I guess I should call it my studio but when ever I have considered this in the past part of me still want to call the place that most of the turning is created should be called a workshop, I know I have a workshop, a studio and a decorating room, does the place you create your work need a name if the work stands alone as it will do once no longer in your possession, does it really matter.
One thing I do feel very strongly about is the space has to be right to create in and this is of utmost importance to me considering the diversity of the things that I create,this means that my space has to be multi functional but overall has to be right for each type of creativity, if all you do is turn this may be difficult to understand the hardest space to create is a clean one in which to paint as most of the other disciplines are dirty in comparison. But I have it sorted and in my shed because that is where I work ,this is the building that houses my workshop, decorating room and studio, all of which have the best light available some is natural and some is artificial remember that I also write and need to take photos of the projects and articles in hand so it has been no easy task to get this right and I feel sure there has to be flexability built into the space, does it really matter ?
To some it does but to me having toys to play with and space and to do it in is more important than what it is or should be called it's like the age old discussion Woodturner or Artist (who am I and does it matter and to whom )any way enough rambling for today. I still have work to complete for the holidays that has been promised, so it' s back to the shed.

Artist in Residence

2008-12-15T17:15:00.006Z

Very Early this year I was invited by the Rev Norman Steer to be the artist in Residance at the Dickleborough Christmas Tree festival this I accepted and took part in. Making sale's and more importantly showing the South Norfolk Region some of my work.

I displayed a cross section of my work including both traditional and decorative turnings hopefully I had something for everyone the festival lasted 12 days and attracted several thousand people to view the displays it was great fun and on two programmed occaissions I met with the public to discuss my work and onoccaisions my thinking behind the pieces on display as some of it was not traditional by any means, all in all I recieved many very appreciative comments regarding the display some even commented that they had never seen work of such high standard in Norfolk before.

Overall it has been a busy few weeks again along with the usual round of teaching and production work that come's through the door every week.

What a Great Way to Start the Christmas Holiday Season, It also meant yet another Church visit I drerad to count how many Jane and I have made this year several more than any prevoius year !

Last Demo Of A Busy Year

2008-11-17T21:12:00.004Z

This has been the busiest year for for me I demonstrated in Sth Africa for 3-Weeks and have given many in the UK along with teaching and all the other component parts of being a full time wood turner Teacher and Writer there has been little spare time if any but it has been fun and that's thanks to both students and audiences at demonstrations THANK YOU to everyone who helped with this and that must also include Jane for her support or should that be barracking, and personal critiques on each performance as we travel home and it's a long way from South Africa.

Hopefully I will get more time for my own work over the winter months and maybe even post some pics as it evolves who Knows.

Again there is more work to do, as I am artist in Residence at Dicklboro in a week or two and I need to finish some new work so it's back to the workshop again, I did hear recently Gary Rance no longer enjoys his turning!

But then wondered how many of you enjoy your day job, do you? let me know the answer it would be interesting to hear.

Dedicated Work

2008-11-03T20:43:00.000Z

An unusual commission came through my workshop recently and Sunday saw the work dedicated at Weston Longville Church.
Jane and I went along to the service and I have to say it was quite moving to see the candles in use at the church for the festival of All Saints so often the work comes in and out but I enjoy the fact that they will be in use for many years to come on a regular basis they were made to a design supplied to me by the Benefactor as they were a gift to the Church, I used oak obtained from Ickworth Park in Suffolk and left them finished to the natural colour ,I must say they did look good with the figure showing very well indeed.

However the rest of the week has been busy again, But! I now have no more outstanding commissions, so Friday allowed me to press on with the new work that I have been trying to get started with utmost desperation and today I finished the piece that is being donated to the Tudor Rose wood turning club for the Children In Need Auction next Saturday.

It's great to have time to develop my new work without deadline pressure!.

Tomorrow sees a PR guy visiting me, I have agreed to be the Artist in Residence for the Christmas Tree Festival at the end of the month so I need work ready for that I'm not sure what he is after but I'm sure he will Know just what he wants. The rest of the week is to be tied up with more of my work and teaching, I seem to have a good steady supply of students there is not many months that I don't get fully booked and on some occasion's they have to wait some time it's better to be busy than looking for work.

Another Long And Busy Week.

2008-10-27T17:26:00.000Z

The days just don't seem to be long enough right now,plenty to do and I had the man flue on top of everything else, still I've made it to Monday and have to say I am feeling much better but Jane my wife is now feeling unwell.
The week was very busy with general turning, Thursday,Friday should have been spent teaching but feeling so unwell I rearranged with my student.
Sunday found us with another early start heading off to an all day demo for the North Herts and Beds wood turning group near Leighton Buzzard the journey was wet all the way and it sure did rain! But the trip was well worth it the group were receptive to my demonstration and also asked numerous questions throughout the day, lunch went down very well and was supplied by the local pub and very good it was too for me the best bit was the fruit cheesecake with cream, lunch over I was back to work.
The afternoon was spent turning and piercing a very thin walled bowl which all ways goes down well, followed by a brief look at surface erosion techniques.
I then turned an off centre pendant after many requests to do so this project did not play ball the wood blank that I selected had a hidden crack in it, all went well until I attempted remove the piece from the chucking method when it promptly split along the hidden crack not even crazy glue could help with this one but I feel sure there may well be many being made over the next few months as Christmas approaches.
I feel that the group enjoyed my presentation and we left feeling they wanted to see more of my decorating techniques than the day had given us time for, maybe next time?
I would like to thank the club for the invitation, as I understand that they only have one all day demonstration a year.

No Sunday Lay Ins !.

2008-10-21T19:26:00.000+01:00

Lets go to the Car boot went up the cry from Jennifer my 21 yr old so of we went for a wander around a damp field early Sunday morning, I always enjoy this looking at what other's have to sell, well this time look what I found.

Two ebonised and carved vases 6" tall and 4" dia I know nothing about them but will say as it has been said so many times before.

"There Is Nothing New In Woodturning"

Pieces like these that often serve as motivation /inspiration with my own work and often take several years to appear but having only cost me £1:00 I just couldn't resist.

Keep your eyes peeled you never Know what can be found.

These pieces have a Moroccan feel to me what do you think ?

The Timber Sale

2008-10-13T17:34:00.000+01:00

Mobile sawmills and board timber already sold and awaiting collection.

Jane and charles sharpe just can't decide which pile to buy!

There is always a wide selection of timber this year I picked up some super rippled sycamore and spalted beech.

Also to be seen are steam powered sawmills timber framers and lots more wood related crafts/skills and sculptor's we always have agreat day out, its an event not to miss every year.

A Busy Month !

2008-10-13T16:18:00.000+01:00

I thought I should start this entry showing you where I work this is only twenty minutes from Norwich but situated in a very quite part of Norfolk which suits me just fine,its great to return to after a trip away or even a day out.

This month is very busy something to do every weekend no spare time if I am not teaching, turning, writing or out demonstrating then it is off to the timber sale on Saturday and then Sunday a trip to the new woodworking show, so now I have wood and new tools to play with not a bad life.
The down side to the trips was that both days started at before 6:00am and were long days but as they are not made every day I don't mind, it is good to get out and network with other people at such events, however I do feel that due to chatting! Jane and I did not get around the entire show on Sunday.
Woodcut have just launched a new hollowing tool onto the market it appears to be a direct competitor to the Roly Munroe Mini it will be interesting to see how they run side by side when I get time to play; it's the usual story no time for me!

I can usually see spare time approaching and in comes another student or batch of production work as I write this, one of my small furniture makers is heading my way with a shortfall on the last batch I did for him and they will be back to him by Friday morning to keep him happy, I'd rather have it like this than be sitting on my hands waiting and wondering were tomorrow's work is coming from in the current financial climate.

Day One !.

2008-10-07T07:11:00.000+01:00

I am a professional wood turner working in Norfolk UK close to the city of Norwich much of the work I produce has both colour and texture but always starts life on the lathe, this allows me to be more creative than when producing spindles I also write for GMC the woodturning magazine here in the UK, as well as teaching and demonstrating the craft of woodturning. Every Monday during term time I teach a group of 12-14 year old boy's,this is always fun but it can also be hard work sorry guy's it's not always easy.