Introducing Myself

["David Calderwood" <DavidCalderwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, just joined the list and thought it better to jump right in rather than
lurk on the sidelines.  I am 57 years old and have been totally blind for
the past thirty years.  Back in the days when I could see I was always
interested in the visual arts - especially photography.  Since losing my
sight I have used my creativity in many different ways and I turned my
attention to stone carving almost exactly four years ago.  As I knew nothing
about working stone I set myself a "five year apprenticeship" to learn the
basics.  Being an apprentice I could forgive myself for anything I
considered to be a "mistake".

I use basic hand tools and sharpen them by hand on a diamond stone (please
can anyone suggest a cheaper type of sharpening stone)?  I work in our
garage using an old heavy duty kitchen table as a working surface, it is a
bit low but "proper" benches are so expensive (any suggestions on making a
home made bench please)?  My favourite stone is Portland stone and I visited
the Tout Quarry on the Isle of Portland a couple of weeks ago - a magic
place.  Has anyone attended one of their courses?  As a treat I would really
like to go on a course of some sort during the final year of my
"apprenticeship".

I have grown to love stone and am now starting to feel really pleased with
the pieces I have produced.  My latest piece is a gargoyle in Portland
stone - I hope to finish him by the end of next month.

Out of interest I have synthesized speech on my computer so I'm really
looking forward to being part of the group.

With best wishes - David (Northampton, England)