About the Artist
I’m Stuart Murdoch. I was born in Aberdeen twenty something and something and something years ago. My family followed my father and the Scottish Army around the world for a while before settling in and around London. I attended a pre-BA foundation course at art college in Surrey where I learnt how to juggle and how to flip burgers. After a brief spell at the BBC I started myself up as a freelance illustrator and cartoonist before going on to become a corporate graphic designer. Despite being mostly self-taught at this I managed to carry on successfully in the trade for about twenty years without ever being found out.
During these years I took the opportunity at least once a year to return home to my grandparents’ farm on Deeside, which I used as a base for hill-walking and wild camping expeditions.
Eventually, the drudgery of corporate design and marketing and the hustle and bustle of the big city became too much for me. I started as a sculptor “part-time” in 2007 but launched the business full-time at the Hampton Court Flower Show in summer 2008, and in early 2009 (in the year of Homecoming Scotland) I took the opportunity to come home to Scotland.
I now live and work overlooking the majestic River Spey on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. My cottage and workshop are situated on the western slopes of Ben Rinnes, an imposing conical hill that dominates Banffshire and the setting is stunning.
I draw a great deal of inspiration from the scenery, wildlife and land around me as well as the heritage and traditions of Scotland.
I am currently working predominantly in stone, slate and wood whether it be small, intricate wood carvings for the home or large wooden or stone sculptures for the garden or even public space.
I also use traditional tools and hand-chiselling methods to produce letter-carvings such as garden sculptures, house names, headstones and special memorials. These can be in local Moray (Clashach) sandstone, Caithness stone or slate. Working with typography for many years as a graphic designer means that I can design and produce truly unique letter-cuttings.
For examples of my work please refer to my PORTFOLIO section.
Although I do occasionally produce to sell in galleries and shops, 95% of my work is through private commission where I work closely with a client to produce something unique and personal. Please feel free to get in touch for a free consultation and initial design visuals.
I hope you enjoy browsing my site and my work. If you have any comments or would like to purchase or commission a piece, please free to contact me via the CONTACT page.
Stuart
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