Trained in Theatre Design (graduate of Nottingham Trent 1987)
Self-employed prop maker, model maker and scenic artist since 1992
Based in a small studio/workshop in Edinburgh
Wide experience producing work for :
- tv & film
- theatre
- opera
- ballet
- museums & visitor centres
- exhibitions & advertising
Clients & companies worked for include :
- Sony Pictures
- Edinburgh International Festival
- Scottish Opera
- BBC Scotland
- Chalk Works
- Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts
- (& many others)
Skills
Some of the materials & techniques used over 20+ years making work in a huge variety of scales & materials from a 5+ metre realistic oak tree to tiny models and intricate replicas.
Props & scenery
Large, medium & small scale sculptural work in variety of materials including :
- Polystyrene & two-part polyurethane foam
- Jesmonite (acrylic polymer resin)
- GRP (fibreglass) using both polyester and epoxy resins
- Wood & metal – complex items in collaboration with carpenters & metalworkers
- Clay & polymer clay
- Various plasters & textured finishes, Toupret etc
- Modelling waxes & epoxy putty
- Airex & Plastazote
Casting & mouldmaking
Primarily making silicone rubber moulds (& also plaster) and casting into :
- Jesmonite
- Polyester resin
- Urethane resin
- Hard & soft two-part polyurethane foams
- Latex
Modelmaking & museum replicas
Models made to many scales in variety of materials & finishes
- Interactive models in collaboration with automata and/or electronics specialists
- Research and design (when required for individual projects)
- Sourcing & buying props; also commissioning reproduction crafts
Scenic painting
Full size backcloths, scenery, murals & set dressing/distressing of all kinds, using a variety of traditional & modern paints & dyes for :
- Theatre, opera & ballet
- TV & film
- Museums, exhibitions & visitor centres
also :
- Copies of famous paintings to original size or large scale
- “Pastiche” & original paintings to order for TV & film
Teaching
Occasional invitations as external tutor/visiting lecturer at FE/HE level
Various scenic art/propmaking/modelmaking skills etc taught at :
- Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London
- East 15 Acting School, University of Essex
- Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts
