James David Barnes

In carving Jim focuses on the natural forms and colours present in the grain of wood. His main inspiration is African hard wood, this dominates his woodpile, accumulated from his time living in Africa, particularly fascinated by the beauty and mysticism found in these ancient gnarled hardwoods, such as olive, stinkwood and eucalyptus.
Jim seeks out pieces of neglected, twisted timber and derives great satisfaction from discovering the beauty within. 'I try to express in my work my reaction to the timeless peace and calm I feel in nature, and the subtleties of colour and form that are waiting to be tapped from the beauty within'.