John Adamson Artist Statement

I am a sculptor / woodcarver taking inspiration from the form of the log rather than forcing my ideas on squared timber.    The log, tree or root has natural curves and strengths that help to give life and movement to my figures.  With square cut timber, these elements are not so evident, and the figure can easily look stiff like a wooden toy soldier.    I allow the wood to tell me what to carve as I search for the hidden story.    I prefer the human figure but my work includes a wide range of subjects as required by the client.

Carving is, in many respects, a " one chance" activity.    If too much wood is taken off, the options for recovery are limited.   The carver needs to visualise the finished result whilst it is still in the block.   He needs to have a good knowledge of the form, which I obtain by drawing constantly. The human figure is the one subject that surrounds me at all times, and I always carry a sketchbook, and  draw at all opportunities, anywhere I can find a free temporary model. These drawings provide a mental visual library of body shapes that I can fit into the wood.  

I find that that almost everyone can tell when I have got it wrong, although very few can say why or how to put it right.   Pushing the figure / face to its ultimate limits helps to resolve the problem.    For other subjects, the internet, books and the local museum provide the information.   If possible I draw and take engineering type photographs, plan, front and side elevations, and perhaps make a Plasticine model of the subject.

For most of my life I have been a professional but part-time woodcarver / sculptor, earning my living as a civil servant and lately as a computer consultant.   In 1995, I made a break and started on the road to taking a B.A. in Fine Art.   It was an exciting road especially the 6 months I spent as an exchange student in Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.    There I met American carvers and joined in with their club activities. 

I am a member of the British Woodcarvers Association, andLancashire and Cheshire Woodcarvers