In January 2023 I was approached by an agent asking me if I was prepared to carve a coat of arms in stone for the residence of a private client and, at this juncture, I said that I didn’t feel that I had the appropriate skills in stone carving but I knew skilled crafts people who could and I gave the names.
Then there was a month or so of quiet in which time I forgot about it but then the agent got back to me asking if I would be prepared to carve a coat of arms in wood to which I replied yes – little realising that in the end I would carve four of them over the next three years. All of them are different, all designed by a graphic designer and all of them with very particular measurements.
The initial problem was the thickness of the wood which was to be a 100mm which most wood is not. Still, I found a wonderful woodyard which was recommended by a neighbour, a furniture maker himself. It was expensive but was well worth it.
So, over the next three years I have carved four separate coats of arms for various sites within the residence.
I owe many thanks to all the people who have been so supportive and helpful especially the local building yard for all the machining of the oak, to the agent and the client himself.
