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Acheson

Greek Inscription

Here I am in the studio carving an ancient Greek inscription on the back of a Yorkstone (sandstone) memorial headstone. The circular text reads 'Now peace and quiet'. The figure in the middle is a Chi-Rho; the two letters Chi (X) & Rho (P) are the first two letters of 'Christ' in Greek, hence this symbol was commonly used by the early church before the universal adoption of the cross as a symbol of Christianity.

Carving letters from a different alphabet or a foreign language is always a pleasure as one concentrates so much more on the form and shape of the letters, being unable to read what it actually says!

The year ahead in Unit Four

Well, I'm fully back at work now and glad to be so. I'm really looking forward to a year of opportunities and new growth in my business.
I've been established at Unit Four, Project Workshops for 5 1/2 years and the business has steadily grown each year. My focus now is almost entirely hand-carved lettering and low relief carving for bespoke memorials, plaques, plinths, as well as some lettering restoration on historic monuments.
I hope to build on this and take on some more artistic projects too. I'd somewhat ignored exhibitions in the last few years, but following the success of The Word exhibition at Sarum college (where I had shown a specially created work, see earlier posts) this is something I intend to pursue. Also, I hope to start submitting proposals for competitions too, again, not an avenue I had previously followed as all previous works were strictly commissions that had come directly to me.

A better marketing campaign will be launched too, as well as a new website, watch this space for further developments. Plus the studio itself will see a major make-over soon. It's time for a complete clear out and re-arrange along with the creation of a dedicated drawing office space. It's all go for an incredible 2012!

Cleaning an old headstone

This is one I carved 13 years ago! Cut from Chilmark (Wiltshire U.K.) stone, technically a sandstone due to the high silica content, but it looks, feels and behaves like a limestone. This is a triptych of stones to commemorate three young sisters tragically killed in a house fire. The tall headstone bears their names, whilst the two smaller stones either side each carry a quote. The headstone has come back to the studio for a little clean and an additional inscription. A good scrub with a stiff brush (hard nylon bristles) and plenty of warm soapy water are all that are required, then I rub over the surface with a diamond abrasive pad, again with plenty of warm water.

As the stone gradually dries out we can clearly see the difference (the top whiter section has already dried).

When fully dry the stone is set up on the easel for the additional inscription to be hand-drawn on. The stone must be bone dry otherwise the pencil will smudge and get into the porous surface making a terrible mess which can only be removed with abrasives. Finally the lettering is hand carved and the stone will be set back in place. 

The headstone is on the trolley behind, a hole dug ready for it to be replaced. Here I am cleaning the two smaller stones either side of the main headstone.

The stone set back in place, my colleague Andy Parsons behind the stone!

2012

Happy New Year!

 May God bless you with a bountiful year full of  joy.

May your dreams and aspirations see fulfilment

and let peace reign in your life.

 This is going to be one incredible year of new beginnings, growth and great change for many.