Process: From Forest to Form

My inspiration flows from nature's beauty and resilience. You can see it in the stories told by tree bark patterns, the graceful ageing of wooden doors, and the bold emergence of wildflowers through pavement cracks. Nature has this incredible way of reclaiming spaces and emerging to announce its existence; these moments of natural rebellion remind me of our responsibility to work with, not against, our environment.

Respect for nature is the foundation of my practice. I source all my wood from right here in London, keeping it within 5 miles of my studio unless it's a commissioned piece. I prefer working with naturally fallen trees, as a way to honour both the material and our environment. My commitment to sustainability touches every aspect of my work – from my second-hand lathe to using public transport to collect materials. It's about creating beauty while treading lightly on our planet.

The making process itself? It's like having a conversation with an old friend. Rather than forcing the wood into shape, I let it speak to me. As I work at the lathe, carving with my gouges and chisels or burning with my pyrographic, I search for character in the wood – a hidden knot or an unexpected grain pattern. For me, it's the character that needs to be kept. These natural imperfections aren't flaws; they're what make each vessel unique. This is where the real magic happens, in the exchange between me and the material.