reflection in motion.

This piece is entitled ' Reflection in Motion', and is an example of my skills as a blacksmith and my interpretation of motion within every day life, whilst trying to reflect growth as an individual. 

Better quality photos to come . 

keeping myself busy of an evening

This is a little gardening set I've been working on in the evenings after work , Poor photo so sorry about that!

back to botnar.

So this is where my journey as a blacksmith all began, I started my apprenticeship at the Camelia Botnar foundation back in 2006, I was 19 had no real idea that Blacksmiths still existed let alone the endless  amount of cool things I would learn and have the opportunity of making whilst working there. 

Five years on and a degree under my belt ,I have returned to the foundation to work along side Tim Clement and Kat Hutchison. It's cool to be passing on the little bit of knowledge I have about my craft to the new generation of trainees coming through the door.
http://cameliabotnar.com 

Not only does the foundation have  great workshop facilities, it is located on a 750 acre  estate in Sussex...splendid.

 This job was a commission for a gate archway combo , the archway was around 7ft tall, had a 3ft opening to fit the gates and was 2ft in depth. The gate consisted of 2 halves, and I was given the challenge to design them and incorporate the ideas of a willow tree and a spiders web. The arch consisted of a lattice design, so that the customers could grow plants up the sides.

Finished and fitted, with some very happy customers .

final piece from 2nd year at HCA.

playing with direction.

 Finished piece entitled 'playing with direction'. I think that this design will influence me for many years to come, as I am already considering so many other possibilities.

finally got started .

As I an now in my final weeks at Hereford college of arts, I'm currently working on a panel that is a representation of movement that I feel can be found in a material with such plasticity .Stay tuned for more updates.

Visiting my buddy Bob Thomas and the guys of Artisans of the Anvil in Stroudsburge USA ,Sept 2012

I recently returned from a trip from Stroudburge, PA, USA ,where I had the opportunity of work experience with Andrew Molinaro and the team at Artisans of the Anvil. This trip was jam packed from start to finish; within two days of receiving a phone call from my old house mate Bob Thomas I was on a flight and on my way to the great U,S of A. where I spent the next four weeks living in a converted room about Andrew's workshop. Now this was my first experience of America and i gotta say it went above and beyond what I was expecting. The days were hot and I struggled to keep up with the guys on the forge at times, but such a welcoming response from everyone on the team. Some really cool work coming out of this place. Thanks for having me guys.
https://www.facebook.com/artisansoftheanvil

Me and the artisans of the Anvil team.
(Left to Right) Me, Pat, Bob, Kenny, Andrew

Helping out on a set of railings.
 Andrew gave me free range on the design of this flower and after a couple of failed attempts I'm pretty chuffed with the outcome.

The workshop .... so bloody big!

Andrew showing me how it's done.

Bob and I headed to New York for the weekend.
NEW YORK  NEW YORK!

New York at night ... an experience on its own .

This place did the best burritos.. 

Team hike - Delaware water gap.

 I gotta say thank you to my good friend Bob Thomas for sorting this great opportunity for me. Hope to see you again soon bud. Peace!