Spirit of Place pieces bare the textures of special places like springs, stone circles and tors that i have journeyed to. The first thing i do when i arrive at any site, is be silent and absorb the essence of the place, i listen to the voices inhabiting it and hear their stories.

 

  I record my visits in photographs and writing, but what i bring back to the Temple Studio to use in my creations are textures. The tiny hills and valleys of rock and bark textures, the imprints of leaves and flowers. Using a reusable mould material, i take moulds from the stones, trees or plants of each place. If you would like to read about my experiences at some of these places please visit my blog.

 

  I feel that, not only the place itself is held in the textures - all it's memories and wisdoms, but also how it was on the day i visited, who else was there and all else that was an influence the day i took the mould. At times my journey and experience seem as relevant as the place itself, for not much in this world exists in isolation.

 

  When in my studio i use Precious Metal Clay to make beads and other elements from the moulds. I feel the memories of that place, what it remembers, and my experiences of it, are captured in the peaks and valleys of these textures. When i am in my studio i use these textures to bring the essence and wisdom of that place into the things i create.

 

Each piece of clay is then fired until it turns into pure metal - either copper or fine silver.