Inspiration

My work in the UK was inspired by the countryside around me; the grit stone escarpments of the Peak District and the rolling hills and streams of the Derbyshire Dales. The rugged yet beautiful grit stone landscape is dotted with large boulders sculpted by the wind and rain, the softer limestone areas have been eroded by the actions of water and motion producing caverns and caves that form an underground world.

I now live on the edge of the Gatineau Park, in Wakefield, Quebec. Here granite escarpments overlook the limestone plateau that was once the Champlain Sea. Tucked away, often only detectable by a small clearing in the forest, are settlements that show the remains of buildings and dry stone walls. These walls are scattered throughout the park, many were retaining walls built to support tracks and pathways, but some were free standing. Although the buildings and many of the walls are little more than ruins, their legacy remains.

In order to give my work context and definition I try to mirror the landscape. By drawing inspiration from the surroundings, structures appear to grow from the landscape rather than land upon them. Each element of the design - the height of the wall, the curve of a path or garden bed, the size and placement of a boulder - plays a crucial role. By paying particular attention to the ratio between line, form and space, I create structures that provide visual impact while remaining functional and timeless.

Using traditional techniques of dry stone walling I build stone scapes that enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. They may be functional, artistic or whimsical. The use of locally sourced stone and minimal 'working' of the stone are fundamental principles of dry stone construction. I use these principles to build structures that appear natural and harmonious that are built to exacting standards.