The subject and form was suggested by the shape and colour of the original stone. It instantly shouted flames to me. The colour is key and it is a major part of the idea and the realisation. The carving process was in part dictated by the nature of the soft stone and the need to express the rich colours with constant use of a water spray to see the brown colours under the white dust. I was also thinking all the time about how the piece would be lit, either back lit to emphasise the translucent nature of the stone and/or front lit with a polished surface reflecting candle light.
All a long I was constantly thinking about how I could capture the feeling of flames and how they make you feel; to bring back memories of staring into camp fires and that cosy contented trance like feeling as you get lost in the flickering dancing flames seeing images within them. I can see birds and an angel fish in this piece. As I carved I would constantly adjust and try different curves and lines to capture the right movement and rhythm, trying to interpret rather than reproduce flames. And of course the base had to be wood, a source of flame and a hint at a blank candle wick.
Material; Brown Alabaster
Dimensions HWD; 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Jan 2021
Price; SOLD