The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway

We talk to the inspirational Miriam Johnson about her journey in stonecarving and sculpture, her teaching stone carving in AlUla in Saudi Arabia with the King's Foundation and her current evolving work which manages to merge traditional skills with contemporary expression.  About | miriamjohnson Instagram@miriam.johnson.stone The King's Foundation Courses 2025 Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk

Charlotte and Nina talk to Michael Paraskos about the craft of articulating your thoughts on carving and the value of open debate. Where is carving going and where do we fit in the conversation. Michael is an writer and educator, publishing novels and books on art and culture, appearing on television and radio, including BBC Radio 4's Front Row. He also writes for newspapers and magazines, including The Spectator and The Guardian Michael Paraskos | art historian and writer Pygmalion 1: Provocations in Contemporary Carving: Provocations in Contemporary Carving: Amazon.co.uk: Paraskos, Michael: 9781999368081: Books Home Page Short Courses 2025 Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk

We talk to Tim Crawley about his long and interesting career in carving - working on a wide and impressive range of commissions, both in scale and public profile. He talks us through his career progression and  Tim Crawley | Stonecarving, Sculpture and Design Women in Conservation: a conversation | spab.org.uk Short Courses 2025 Abraxas Academy Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk    

Richard Kindersley talks to Nina and Charlotte, looking back over his long career, early influences and curiosity of materials and process.  home - Richard Kindersley Studio Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk to Rosie Musgrave, a wonderful stone carver based in Bristol. We talk about her career, work and life, how as a women,  artistic freedoms and opportunities gave way to family life, and now, later in her career, how she takes each day she carves in her workshop as a gift. Rosie Musgrave - Stone Carver and Sculptor from Devon UK rosie musgrave (@rosiemusgravesculpture) • Instagram photos and videos Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this Episode Charlotte and Nina Talk with Tom Kemp - hearing about his use of the broad edge brush to create Trajan Roman letters. Although Tom is now a well known potter, his background was origionally with lettering and calligraphy - and the infulence of this can be seen in his work today. The alphabet - YouTube Online courses — Tom Kemp Tom Kemp (@tom_kemp_) • Instagram photos and videos Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk  

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk to Michelle de Bruin, brilliant stone carver and artist based in Scotland. Michelle talks us through her career highs and lows, making us laugh and feel at ease along the way. Tune into this conversation and we challenge you not to feel inspired. Michelle de Bruin - Artist, Stonecarver and Lettercutter based in Scotland michelle de bruin (@artistorguk) • Instagram photos and videos Sharp - Sean Hellman We still have spaces available on our stone and lettercarving courses in September Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk) Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk to Rian Kanduth, expert gilder and conservator. Rian tells us about her background, work experience, and teaching. We delve into the different mediums for gilding, different substrates and different types of gold. We discuss problems that can happen when gilding and how to avoid them. There is a lot of laughter! https://www.instagram.com/londongildingcompany/ Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' - we'd love to hear from you. info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk to Jess Eyre a trained stone mason, and Paul Synan, senior mason from Gloucester Cathedral, who Nina met at Mansion House in London where they all received awards for their work and recognition for the skills they have aquired. Gloucester Cathedral Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre: Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth | Heritage Ireland Digital Repository of Ireland Search Results (dri.ie) The Rock of Cashel | Heritage Ireland Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship – Supporting the development of traditional craft skills for the conservation, maintenance & repair of cathedrals & historic buildings. (cwfcathedrals.co.uk) Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this episode Charlotte and Nina talk to sculptor and mason Tom Waugh who talks openly about his practice in contemporary stone sculpture and his journey from mason to artist. Sculpture in Stone and Marble (tomwaugh.com) BBC Radio 4 - This Cultural Life, Frank Auerbach DIVA - Exhibition at V&A South Kensington · V&A (vam.ac.uk) Women In Revolt! | Tate Britain Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

We celebrate our first 12 months of the podcast with a rundown of our top tips, a few old and a few new to add to your carving repertoire.  Top tips links below Welcome to Letter Exchange Hand made carvings, letter press & personalised gifts. — The Lettering Arts Trust Kirsten Buick on Edmonia Lewis - The Great Women Artists | Podcast on Spotify Listen — The Sculptor's Funeral (thesculptorsfuneral.com) How to make a pencil extender (youtube.com)   Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

Part 2 of our interview with Peter Randall-Page RA - - We reccomend listening to part 1 of this interview before you listen to part 2 Peter has an international reputation for his sculpture, drawings and prints. His work is held in numerous collections throughout the world. He very generously agreed to be on our podcast and we are delighted to share our interview we recorded with him. We continue this conversation with him in part 2. He shares his insights and knowledge about stone, art and life, and the connections between them all in this fascinating conversation. Links below are where you can see examples of Peter's work Peter Randall-Page - artist, sculptor and Royal https://open.spotify.com/episode/2oBRH5RIkUAdAcHJdJuhSY https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

  Peter Randall Page RA has an international reputation for his sculpture, drawings and prints. His work is held in numerous collections throughout the world. He very generously agreed to be on our podcast and we are delighted to share our interview we recorded with him. He shares his insights and knowledge about stone, art and life, and the connections between them all in this fascinating conversation. Links below are where you can see examples of Peter's work Peter Randall-Page - artist, sculptor and Royal 'The One and The Many' by Peter Randall-Page | Fitzroy Place Welcome to Letter Exchange Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

Heather Newton is the Fabric Projects Manager at Canterbury Cathedral. We talk to her about her career progression, her work and the training scheme she helped to develop. With colleagues from other cathedrals she became a founder member of the Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship, (CWF), a collaboration between ten of England's cathedrals to deliver enhanced training for crafts and trades-people working in cathedrals and the wider historic buildings sector. Heather wrote and have led the conservation module of the course and is a member of the management and delivery group (see The CWF Foundation Degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair.  Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship – Supporting the development of traditional craft skills for the conservation, maintenance & repair of cathedrals & historic buildings. (cwfcathedrals.co.uk) Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)        

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk to the amazing Annet Stirling, discussing her work with Incisive Letterwork, Ian Hamilton Finley and other insights after a long career working with letters and stone.   Cut - A fantasitc short film Watch this | Incisive Letterwork Designers and letter carvers | Incisive Letterwork Fontself - The Easiest Font Maker For All Creatives Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)

In this episode Nina and Charlotte discuss the joys of working onsite and the correct way to place an order for stone from a quarry or stone supplier as well as offering up a Top Tip to help you in the workshop. Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk Stone carving courses (abraxasacademy.co.uk)   Southern Stone – Southern Stone and Tools (southern-stone.co.uk) Natural Stone Supplier (amarestone.com) Portland stone | Homepage | Albion Stone    

In this episode Nina and Charlotte talk about what happens when you make a mistake carving your stone, be it spelling or taking away to much stone, and ways of dealing with this. Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk  

In this episode we talk to the wonderful Alan Micklethwaite, authur of 'Restoration Stone Carving', stone carver, conservator, sculptor and fabulous interviewee. https://instagram.com/micklethwaitestudios https://instagram.com/alanmicklethwaitesculpture www.micklethwaitestudios.co.uk     Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk

STONE WILL ANSWER by Beatrice Searle In this episode we talk to Beatrice about her book 'Stone Will Answer', a beautifully written account of her journey pulling a 40KG stone on a jouney of 100s of miles, travelling by boat from Orkney and walking over 500 miles through Southern Norway to Nidaros Cathedral. Beatrice is a stone mason, artist, lettercarver and author. https://instagram.com/beatrice.searle?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=   Have a questison or tip for the fitting room, want us to discuss a particular topic, then send your nice questions and comments to 'The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway' info@abraxasacademy.co.uk www.abraxasacademy.co.uk

In this episode Charlotte and Nina discuss carving angels, visiting the Donatello exhibition in London, fixing memorials on site as well as tips and tricks in the fitting room to help with your carvings.

Chatting to Catherine Samy, chair of the Lettering Arts Trust and Sue Apergis letter and stone carver.  In the fitting room we discuss the boob in the B

Nina and Charlotte talk about tool literacy, recommend a set of carving tools for beginners and offer a few tips and tricks in the fitting room

Our very first podcast - We talk to Nina about her commission to carve statues of the Queen and Prince Philip for Canterbury Cathedral and learn about the emotional highs and lows of taking on a high profile job. We have our first question for the Fitting Room where we offer help and advice to anyone