Spring is nearly here!
Spring is pretty much here in Devon UK! The daffodils are out in full cheerful ceremony but the wind is still bitter…not long now though! Here is an overdue news update about where I’m at in my practice, for anybody who makes it this far on my website…
Visit the Commissions section in my portfolio
Puppet making commissions…
Since spring last year I’ve mainly been busy with puppet making commissions! I’m really enjoying every opportunity to keep developing my making practice, especially marionette making which seems to be an emerging specialism/obsession!! I’ve published a new section on my website which gives an overview of what I’ve been making recently (the contents should be familiar to my Instagram followers). Click the image to be re-directed…
Visit the Jewellery Archive in my online portfolio
Jewellery Archive…
While I’ve been busy with puppet making I haven’t been producing any new jewellery pieces of late. For anyone not familiar with this body of work, I started carving and selling jewellery in 2018 as a ‘refuge’ from creative burnout. A few years on and I’ve realised I’ve amassed a more significant body of work than I remember! I’ve therefore consolidated a portfolio of past work that can be viewed on my website (click the image). I also still have some work for sale in my online shop… FYI I will be announcing a Discount Code via my social media platforms soon…
Visit the Flying with Strings page
Flying with Strings - still in progress!
I am currently developing a new puppet show called ‘Flying with Strings’. For anyone who hasn’t followed the story so far, ‘Flying with Strings’ is a puppetry and music collaboration between myself and my partner, musician Louis Bingham. It currently takes the form of a short walkabout/pop-up ‘experience’, but I have plans to develop it further into a more ‘formal’ sit-down show with an added storytelling element. The timing of this is still TBC - I have been preoccupied with making commissions and Louis is busy cooking up his own projects for this year. I will be sure to update my friends and followers when more concrete plans emerge - you can check out the show page opposite.
We are currently booked as a walkabout act for Beverley Puppet Festival (15th-17th July 2022) and as a pop-up act for a local children’s festival in Totnes (15th-20th August). Visit the Events page for more info.
Puppets created by GCSE students at King Edward VI Community College, Totnes
Puppet Making Workshop
I recently delivered a 2 day puppet making workshop at my local secondary school and sixth form college in Totnes, working with a combination of GCSE, A-Level and Art Foundation students. It was a really fun couple of days and I can safely conclude it was a SUCCESS! I really enjoyed the connections I made with the students, who were engaged, enthusiastic and not-to-mention talented. I was delighted to see what they produced.
It has been a few years since I last ran a puppetry workshop. Since 2018 I’ve been busy examining, exploring and re-invogorating my own artistic practice. After this period of development, it feels great to have fresh ideas to offer as a teacher and facilitator.