Ruth Urban

I wouldn't describe myself as a traditional carver, because my process is completely fluid and organic. I hold the pounamu and work with the natural and spiritual energy of each stone and as I work a piece just 'happens'. 

I let each stone decide what shape it wants to be. It's a fluid process, I'll be working and pieces will break off and the shape changes. I'll take off a layer of stone and the colour changes.  I go with the flow until the final shape emerges, then I hand sand until the piece 'feels' right.  Pounamu is a very tactile stone, people love to touch and stroke it and it's the 'feel' of my pieces that customers connect with.

The pictures below are examples of my work process.