First Attempts at Stonework

So, I've fisihed my first three stone sculptures and I'm happy with what I have felt and learned so far. Stone is a beautiful material - it is chock a block full of its own energy and half the pleasure of working with it just now is getting to know the stone a bit better.
here are my first three pieces. Torso is a reworking of my first carving that I made on the PVAF weekend course.

It is limestone. The stone feels fleshy and waxy when I work with it and the figure seems to pull itself out from under my chisel.
The other two are stones taken from a lime quary near Fortwilliam. The Fortwilliam stone is strange and unpredictable and not atall stable. I'm sure an experienced stone sculptor would be horrified. Its inclined to splinter and sheer away - especially when the frost gets to it - and I don't think it will age too well. But i like it for its quirkiness and the patterns and flaws in it.



The head is "Mairi" and the odd-shaped piece is "When You Kiss me". This second pice was quite challenging and cost me two broken chisels. As the sun moves into position, it shnies through a hole in the piece and is reflected by a piece of mirror imbedded in the stone. I worry that, for me, the piece is not aesthetic enough and I can tell that friends visiting me prefer the other two pieces but it is this slightly ugly piece that excites me for now
I've looked at some of the rocks on the beaches but they are mostly granite and quartz and not any use. Its strange being back on the beach looking for stones this time. I think I need to get some advice.