Bird on a tree stump – sculpture carved in Howley Park Sandstone A bird sculpture for a garden stream. A bird perched on a tree stump, leaning over, eyes fixed intently on the water below, ready for action – to dive – or fly rapidly up river to the next branch. Carved from a single block of Howley Park Sandstone.         The post Bird perched on a tree stump appeared first on Jennifer Tetlow ..read more

  This weekend was the re-opening celebration of the New Zealand Garden in Valley Gardens, Harrogate and unveiling of the garden’s new sculpture.  The New Zealand Garden has undergone a refurbishment, part of which was to include my Yorkstone carving. The sculpture, a commission through Harrogate International Partnerships, is a Pikorua, a Maori symbol representing eternal friendship. I kept a bit of a diary of the process and stages of creating this piece, the installation and the final reveal – you can read all about it here – Pikorua Sculpture         The post ..read more

  Yesterday I received a copy of The Water Vole Book by Hugh Warwick.  It is part of a series of nature books edited by Jane Russ and published by Graffeg in Llanelli, Wales. Graffeg very kindly sent it to me as the beginning of the chapter about this little mammal in Myths, Art and Literature, is illustrated with an image of my sculpture of a Water Vole. The Water Vole Book is a beautiful and informative guide about this newly endangered species, and packed throughout with outstanding photography.  (As well as artwork). You can purchase this lovely little book through Graffeg ..read more

  Waxwing sculpture carved in Yorkstone – looking rather keenly at the furry catkins on the willow stems! Waxwings are seen from October to March, over-wintering here before heading back to Scandinavia to breed in the northern forests. Often they gather in large flocks, feeding in berry-laden trees and bushes. They’re known for their soft, silky plumage and remarkable colouring – the red tips to the wings (which, it is said, look like sealing wax) gave rise to their name. Waxwing bird sculpture – carved in Yorkstone –  7 1/2″ x 3″ x 4″       The post Waxwing appeared ..read more

  Cynibil – bird sculpture in Ancaster Weatherbed Limestone There were four brothers Cedd, Chad, Cynibil and Caelin.  All were tutored by St Aiden in Lindisfarne to help in transforming the 7th Century Celts and Anglo Saxons from Pagans to Christians. The brothers founded an Abbey in the North York Moors, the land donated to them in 654 at Lastingham.  However the area was found to be a rather unlawful and wild place and needed to be cleansed.  To consecrate the ground prior to construction Cedd undertook a fast over 40 days.  He endured the deprivation well until th ..read more

  Magnesian Limestone Flora – Flower Bunch sculpture carved in stone Some 250 million years ago the Cadeby stone I’ve carved these flowers in, was being formed in the shallow tropical Zechstein sea.   Now this Magnesian Limestone is only found in a few places in the North East of England.  Where outcrops exist and have been subject to many decades of weathering the area has thin, lime-rich soil and this allows the growth of unique wildflower meadows. Typically these grassland areas support scarce plant species including blue moor grass, small scabious, rock-rose and dark ..read more

  Yesterday I packaged up sculpture for delivery to a new gallery for me – Pinkfoot Gallery in Cley, North Norfolk.  The gallery will be showing and selling my stone sculpture in company with their other artists and sculptors. The acclaimed gallery owner Sarah Whittley, alongside being a writer and publisher, has a passion for Modern British art inspired by Nature and has curated an exceptional collection at Pinkfoot.  I’m really delighted and pleased to be exhibiting my contemporary stone sculpture and working with the gallery to promote creativity influenced by our wonderful ..read more

  Great Tit sculpture carved in Yorkstone With the lighter mornings I’m hearing the beginnings of the dawn chorus.  There was a very sketchy start by a Blackbird this morning, but it soon got into its stride. Just as bird songs are taking shape in the garden, bird sculptures are forming in the workshop.  This new one also enjoying the early February sunshine.                 The post Birdsong appeared first on Jennifer Tetlow ..read more

  Byland, in North Yorkshire, was built during the 12th century and rose to become one of the largest Cistercian Abbeys in Britain. The magnificent west entrance to the church is clearly visible, with the west range of the cloister.  The imposing scale of other sections is only hinted at by the ruins. My visit coincided with a clear, cold night.  The rising moon cast a delicate and atmospheric light on the ancient stones.  All told utterly magical. My senses prickled, and further came alive after reading one of the information boards about a ghostly visitor. A monk at ..read more

    M e r  r  y   C h r i s t m a s & Happy New Year         The post Merry Christmas appeared first on Jennifer Tetlow ..read more