For Adults
A Beginners Guide to Spoon CarvingLee John Phillips
06 April - 06 April 2024
Saturday 6th April 2024
11am-3pm | Adult workshop | £50
A beginners guide to spoon carving with Lee John Phillips
Refreshments provided
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Lee is a freelance illustrator, maker and tutor based in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
In his role as a carver, he has been invited to teach at both the prestigious Spoonfest and Bowl Gathering and has recently been invited back to the Norwegian arctic to teach as part of a culinary retreat. He is also collaborating with a blacksmith to design his own signature axe to go into production.
As a day job, Lee is a technical illustrator, a designer, a sketchbook keeper and a painter. He has recently worked on re-brands for Kettle Chips, Nuii ice cream, Timothy Taylor Brewery and Snowdon Cheese to name a few. He has illustrated ten books to date, ranging from user manuals and how-to’s to adult colouring books and educational texts.
In his spare time he is illustrating the entire contents of his late grandfather’s toolshed. He has been working on The Shed Project since 2014 and has drawn almost 9,000 items. He estimates this to be around 10% of the total and sees it as his life’s work.
Lee has recently purchased a 3.5 acre plot of ancient, deciduous woodland that will become a lively base for the delivery of heritage craft in West Wales.
The workshop will begin by Lee introducing you to the basic tools you need to make a very functional and beautiful cooking spoon. You will discuss wood selection and acquisition, focusing on the best materials for enjoyable carving, alongside health and safety concerns to ensure you are able to carve confidently.
Lee will then talk you through spoon and utensil design and highlight grain orientation when considering your own work. Using axing techniques you will get from a log to a spoon blank ready to carve.
You will be walked through several, safe knife grips and cutting techniques that will make for efficient and effective carving. After which you will be introduced to the hook knife or spoon knife to hollow the spoon bowl.
You will then discuss finishing techniques and consider, burnishing, oiling and decoration- in addition to sharpening carving tools, one of the most important aspects of the craft.
No prior experience is needed and all materials will be included.
Eventbrite: A beginners guide to spoon carving with Lee John Phillips
High quality artist led workshops are at the heart of what we do here at Mission Gallery. Every ticket purchase contributes towards our Outreach Programme and supports fair compensation for our talented artists.
Due to our venue’s capacity, spaces are limited. If you book onto one of our workshops we would ask you to honour your commitment to attend.
We aim for our workshops to be as accessible as possible, but would ask that you make a donation on the day if you can. Please consider contributing if you are able to support the future workshop and education programmes at Mission Gallery.
For further information please contact Megan Leigh, Learning & Engagement Coordinator, on 01792 652016 or email megan@missiongallery.co.uk
Materials are provided, limited places, booking is essential. Please inform us of any access requirements, allergies or medical conditions.
Access is by one-step entry from pavement level through our main entrance.
The workshops will take place in the gallery and education space located on the first floor of the gallery.
Due to building limitations access to the first floor education space is via steep stairs.
Staff are on hand to provide assistance if needed.
