Some years ago I had the pleasure of executing a design on the behalf of the late Michael Renton, a renowned lettering artist and stone carver based in Hampshire. By the time of this commission Michael was in very poor health and he died shortly after this font was completed. I met Michael and discussed the carving with him at the works dept of Salisbury cathedral where I was then employed. These photo's were taken at the mason's workshop in Salisbury. He gave me with a copy of his design and left me to get on with it and seemed quite happy with the finished article. It now resides in St John's church, Farley Chamberlayne, in an isolated part of deeply rural Hampshire, one of those mysterious churches that has survived long after the medieval village it served had disappeared.
I'm sorry, Robyn. It must have been hard for you to lose such an honorable friend like Micheal Renton. Hmm. I think I've heard of him before. Do you mind posting a link of some of his other works of art? I'd be glad to see them. I'm quite impressed with his baptismal font, by the way. It surely is a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteEarnestine Kettering
Hi Earnestine, I didn't get to know Michael very well, but am very honoured to have worked with him as he was widely regarded as one of the outstanding letter-cutters of the late 20th century. I'm sure a quick Google search will bring up more examples of his work. He also designed all the corporate lettering for Winchester cathedral, so a quick look at their website may show more of his work. Good luck. It's always a pleasure to know there are people out there still interested in this sort of work.
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