Paul Clarke, Sculptor, Woodcraft

Paul Clarke is equally skilled working with stone or wood and luckily for me he is also a friend of mine. It is through our common interest in wood that I know him. He has bought wood off me before or I have known of someone who could supply the right wood for a project.

Paul has made pieces at my places before as I have ample space outdoors.  Of course I jumped at the chance to see him in action. He is working on a big project at the moment – a huge chair to go outdoors at Cardigan Castle for when it opens to the public next year. The castle was in private hands until recently and has just had vast amounts of work on it to restore it. It was the site of the first Eisteddfod in 1176, held by Lord Rhys prince of Deheubarth.

I had a piece of oak suitable for the dog which will lie at the base of the chair. Who would have thought that tree trunk would become that dog.

Aren’t his eyes wonderful? The finish that is on the dog is only temporary to stop the surface drying out really quickly. It was extremely hot where Paul finished the carving which was under cover but under a skylight.

PS. I was asked to turn a couple of sword hilts. These will join the arms to the seat of the chair.