http://www.handcarvedslate.com/projects daily 0.75 2014-01-30 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/gravestones daily 0.75 2021-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391053099571-ASVOFGA94UPUUOXDTGLU/Carving+Profile+1.jpg Gravestones - Hand Carving Everything I carve is done is the ancient tradition of hand carving using only a brass mallet and steel chisels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391053099571-ASVOFGA94UPUUOXDTGLU/Carving+Profile+1.jpg Gravestones - Hand Carving Everything I carve is done is the ancient tradition of hand carving using only a brass mallet and steel chisels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518287964710-A6SJ6O3WXGPRJA230TXK/Jones+Finished+2.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391054777106-EU78Z1G8QH3GY1GKBKZX/Boyd+Epitaph+Sideways+Bigger.jpg Gravestones There are only a dozen or so artisans in this country who still practice the ancient art of cutting letters by hand. This gives the lettering a life, personality, and perfection missing from most text we see today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391091176072-FBMS9PJ1EWF7D2KAXHKW/Jones+Ferns+Detail.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868393179-0S5HR3AG1OX6VLJ3DCFK/IMG_0671.jpeg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391053162721-1LEUVAUBI9162HDER4XE/Courtmanche+Locust.JPG Gravestones - Inspiration Can come from anywhere. This stone is now placed on aisle within the cemetery called "Locust Lane". The Locust tree traditionally symbolizes affection beyond the grave, and also tenacity under adversity. The man memorialized was one of ten siblings so there are ten locust fronds adorning the stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090550348-UN5DO5V5WVD0Y806U706/Boyd+Installation+7.JPG Gravestones - Light changes everything The look of the carving changes throughout the day and the year based on the position of the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694802849-8HKY0XTCYW7H8TP1C2L1/Jones+Name+Detail.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518287883252-LOZF6C9FXYYJ404ZILBG/Back-Final-2.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694724314-UXT3XWSZR4AR9TVYW0BP/Boyd+Epitaph+1.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060317534-2PA8WM43FTMA1EKV3DZ0/IMG_0690.jpg Gravestones - Hand-carved letters can be more perfect and more beautiful than machine produced ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868247359-NTYDGNGT3N5JKKJ8ETWE/Councell+Final+2+Small.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868922119-BL4B2IVPR7TRS1GOVOCR/Portrait%2BTop%2B1.jpg Gravestones - Portrait Stones There is a long tradition of stylized portraits on headstones in early new england. I have always been inspired by the concept of the gravestone itself as a stylized portrait and biography. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395708153481-L1Z5Y35BWCGJ68QYVQM3/Golden.jpg Gravestones A beloved golden retriever was also memorialized. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518287862553-6AH5SQG9H39I5SPXPK32/IMG_6123.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868253862-6WR45NIU7MEO7OYHYNB8/George+Text+Detail+Small.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518287841935-LR3GFRAEW0G7QECQ4Q1D/IMG_6119.jpg Gravestones - Historic Cemeteries It is such a priviledge to install a stone in a historic cemetery like the Grove Street Cemetery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518286377920-5MCH35RZ74G2RMECAXX1/IMG_1311.jpg Gravestones - Arlene Swift Jones a few years after carving her husband's stone I had the privilege of carving Arlene's. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518286416703-YWHCM4JXKP6FRO9ZB3O5/IMG_1469.jpg Gravestones - Two reunited A few years later one Jones stone became two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518286433229-181U3DTGP1CK7GVW4D5T/IMG_1335.jpg Gravestones - Companion but not matching The two Jones stones we designed separately but made to be companions but not twins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518286881570-9XTC33PSI07YL87GONLD/IMG_1425.jpg Gravestones - We visited A few years after completing this project we visited this stone again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619869182425-TL7MTQQVWWJ55C0YCR6M/IMG_1355.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868852632-E12QBGTSDJIO71JZ2PW9/IMG_1440.jpg Gravestones - Back of Courtmanche stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868786882-6PQMI0NYO3B9IOQCI5K0/IMG_5090.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518287993737-WPR3SC3F5BZ05ZOFQ97Q/Jones+Finished.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518288012000-ZCVP8SJRSCIXGRMDGEM2/IMG_1302.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1619868262422-3696L2IQ7DOEC54OS3RU/Councell+B%26W+Small.jpg Gravestones http://www.handcarvedslate.com/oldblog daily 0.75 2014-02-06 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/oldblog/2014/2/6/warsaw-poland monthly 0.5 2014-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701978911-TWHHX2AXPUDWX5WQ367J/20091025-LS-0940.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702039267-FF8QE2MMFHQGE1FSWTFJ/Warsaw+1+004.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702282907-NST9WU019CE68KH2ZJPX/Warsaw+1+045.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702625681-ZIJTVKBQDXDNRM3NPW7Q/Warsaw+1+3.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702154578-NSDQ10Z7DB2ONPJCUVI6/Warsaw+1+013.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702583805-9DRL0YJMRSDAYQ7GL333/Warsaw+1+2.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702744897-D0A36OSKUD6T5U0ZR1FY/Warsaw+1+5.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702195012-TWEOXLPE79ONF0JH90N5/Warsaw+1+036.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702821577-I2USY2913DWTBYZEDZOI/Warsaw+1+6.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702272755-KF0O4DYNQRFBOOEUK6FY/Warsaw+1+012.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702906483-KYOP5I0MG2KAJ5F09JSC/Warsaw+1+8.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702909177-ASPHYNTC5RGQMOYBNC17/Warsaw+1+010.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391702950895-JWK4QP7GVFFKWJTSOSQH/Warsaw+1+11.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703024413-1X2RQ1O2WX8WAEBNYZEA/Warsaw+1+12.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703098577-FKBQMNBDFY8WHJXPOU25/Warsaw+1+024.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703048958-OQTPZ3BI6SN1J164CEFO/Warsaw+1+10.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703156769-EXBPG82YT5DF8MX2N3YT/Warsaw+1+022.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703344250-CPX7PXUL3LUU05DQ3GA4/20091024-LS-0034.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703359949-WMAPABC2F9SZ3EVRLXCV/20091024-LS-0169.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703381453-SJN9JVFEE9PPXXHDPO22/20091024-LS-0419.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703386424-DG97PS82BP94MT34IR3X/20091024-LS-0546.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703397214-TVPKJQTFW4RV5Y1AOSQY/20091025-LS-0619.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703415103-GCZGSCSOX2Y57GUJPXT1/20091025-LS-0831.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703426504-8T18O3168LM2JYW4CWFF/20091024-LS-0183.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391703441656-BFB4HJQ2139H3L06X8CE/20091024-LS-0123.jpg Old Blog - Warsaw, Poland http://www.handcarvedslate.com/oldblog/2014/2/6/inspiration-from-old-gravestones monthly 0.5 2014-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391698744049-4ADCST2YMMEGX4UUN93E/Carving+Demonstration+6.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391698736211-L7C6SYYTZBOJDHG13N0U/Hand+Holding+Heart+means+Charity.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391698830140-975ABMZM6XIDFSYVX1UO/IMG_1539.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701494913-436J90DPXL347SMKIIST/P1080131.JPG Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701533641-J0SLNR6GQ03ODVFFAMJE/Cheery+Bone+Angel.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701547123-DY9U3V8UUFTOMES3BKJM/Hourglass+Edited.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701585535-V2X53FGFFXJOK4JFI0VJ/Hanna+Converse+Top.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391701667672-YXSN52WIL7OEE76ZQIXP/IMG_1545.jpg Old Blog - Inspiration from Old Gravestones http://www.handcarvedslate.com/artwork daily 0.75 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060220320-I9SJ4Q9KCPL29NOEO0DE/Hicks1.jpg Other Carving - Hick's Farewell One of my early carvings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060220320-I9SJ4Q9KCPL29NOEO0DE/Hicks1.jpg Other Carving - Hick's Farewell One of my early carvings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1660774857888-BSRTBVTTVUQAAWEPKXTA/Steel_A_TimEriksen.jpg Other Carving - Tim Eriksen I had this image for a portrait of my friend Tim Eriksen rattling around in my brain for quite a few years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1660775009656-NATSSSXNCOD149D42TVW/Steel_A_TimEriksen2.jpg Other Carving - Finished "Tim Eriksen Stone" Is it really a gravestone? Thanks to Tim for being someone I could carve a gravestone-like piece of art for without it being too creepy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060082350-TGGQT1S8G1A6Q1CSH9RJ/FetteredAndChainedUpInClay.jpg Other Carving - Fettered and Chained Up In Clay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090929108-6NBD7V6KHGUKR5UCUV6F/NothingDivineDies.jpg Other Carving - Northing Divine Dies Antique Shingle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391696231639-CD32NXVJ96JL3FEY3781/NothingDivineDiesDetail.jpg Other Carving - detail of Nothing Divine Dies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090796643-8ZKBNGBK4QLAKP4EKXF4/MedAndBenLarge.jpg Other Carving - Meg and Ben Wedding stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090799685-XB9JJXZY8ZCVAN95MYII/MegAndBenDetailLrg.jpg Other Carving detail of Meg and Ben stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060057006-423961CQPE04V7H6SRXD/Girl+With+Compass+Detail.jpg Other Carving - Home Detail of "Home" self-portrait. Antique roof shingle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060145439-E2N9YL2VOIUV6SOPEV59/ReginaAndGarnetWedding.jpg Other Carving - Regina and Garnet wedding stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060072290-596IVKY3WEQLLPKQ6O1S/HomeLrg.jpg Other Carving https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391060223553-PLW03FCIV3XFXVY328TU/IrvineFamily.jpg Other Carving - Irvine Stone My first commission for the celebration of a new family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1660774858719-E2KR3FZDWVOQK9BYJIUW/Steel_A_JenniferTouchstoneDrawing.jpg Other Carving - Jennifer Touchstone Another in my 2019 portrait series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1660774857116-F19B7FC7E9GQXKA3FYZH/Steel_A_JenniferTouchstone.jpg Other Carving - Jennifer Touchstone Carving https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090793617-CLSYGFCJW0TWYJANMS1C/LaPier1.jpg Other Carving - La Pier Memorial Stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391697629070-6LA33ZIVHQEM4XHSRE1T/Girl+with+Compass.jpg Other Carving - Home Self-Portait Antique roofing shingle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090943628-VCI9H2LBYVYQ3MTFE1Z1/SoulCircle.jpg Other Carving - Soul Circle Antique roof shingle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391090981036-MGKOBB5ZTXNDMNQP1XY2/Rachel+Speer+Carving+1.jpg Other Carving - Rachel and Dean New home gift. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694084903-ARX5P69WUFPRZISRCJI2/Tree+of+Life.jpg Other Carving - Gendry Tree of Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391693940641-BGT0LHAG8QFTO9M8LKKE/IMG_9597.jpg Other Carving - T & R Wedding Stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391696132957-47IZRTI216V6RGH3VP29/MomCarving1.jpg Other Carving https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391696177433-9Q8L77JBL0NJJCMQ578J/TerrestrialMindBig.jpg Other Carving https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518288864418-EWLUHZD5DWXPTJVV62NS/IMG_9592.jpg Other Carving - Poorman's Story Self-portrait Antique roof shingle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1660774856982-VYPPHCHEAMO4U7DO9KUH/Steel_A_ALongWinter.jpg Other Carving http://www.handcarvedslate.com/photography daily 0.75 2014-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395752080856-5J0G9DVHU9LBZQYCDMPP/Carving+Profile+1+Adjusted.jpg by Allison Blake Steel http://www.handcarvedslate.com/new-gallery daily 0.75 2014-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395716925460-AV2XDW69NGI518MKIR3H/Carving+Profile+1.jpg New Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395716925460-AV2XDW69NGI518MKIR3H/Carving+Profile+1.jpg New Gallery http://www.handcarvedslate.com/process-2 daily 0.75 2014-03-25 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/new-gallery-2 daily 0.75 2014-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395752686744-WVIFE50FEL7PZS56491H/Jones+Installation+4.JPG Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395752729365-G04EWZ6UKB0JJWBMVFQ2/Boyd+Epitaph+Sideways+Bigger.jpg Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395752760672-DLBSXCM8X39GMK21808O/Courtmanche+Locust.JPG Gravestones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395752802922-ZR1EGGOLKVWHS8K2YHS5/Self+Portrait+1.jpg Gravestones http://www.handcarvedslate.com/work daily 0.75 2018-02-08 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-08-17 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2022/8/17/new-drawings monthly 0.5 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/d64ac4b0-9130-4952-8d1d-ed5b96759f29/New+Worster+Work.jpg Blog - New Drawings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/d21e4bb2-2cba-481e-8dd1-5981a945cbb9/Not+Ok.jpg Blog - New Drawings - Make it stand out What if I was a gravestone carver picking up where Moses Worster left off in 1781? And what if women in the 18th century could be gravestone carvers and artists? And what if I was alive today? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/3a01d4ab-8361-42ab-a908-3f0cf836ae02/Phillis+Wheatley+Epitaph.jpg Blog - New Drawings - Make it stand out The Epitaph is a few lines from a poem by Phillis Wheatley Peters. An important African American Poet from the 18th c. She was enslaved as a young girl and woman. Her life was and work were both beyond extraordinary. I wrote a song using this text last year. If you don’t already know about her you should read more here: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/wheatley-phillis-1754-1784/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/4e27b424-e3ec-4b63-979d-c3f42173766d/Vengeful+Ghost+Drawing.jpg Blog - New Drawings - Make it stand out Maybe the ghost are vengeful. http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/4/8/what-is-that-face monthly 0.5 2021-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617879012556-0PV2PJ5NBTBBZQ6Y6OAS/Worster-Drawing-Detail.jpg Blog - What is that face? Drawing from the Gravestone of Jonathan Worster, who is the probable carver of many stones in this style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617879454154-FOXXDTKF7S6BD3MUWP75/Job-Hinkley.jpg Blog - What is that face? Detail of the gravestone of Job Hinkley in Brookfield MA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617880258179-NNTN56Q4LZX8SGFAKSBZ/Pecker-Twins-Drawing-Detail.jpg Blog - What is that face? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617880562133-FVPIBA2M63XBZEWSNMKL/Osgood-Drawing.jpg Blog - What is that face? Christopher Osgood gravestone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617881329624-L6KTEM52FTQKSV6OX0S3/Dorathy-Converse.jpg Blog - What is that face? Gravestone of Dorathy Converse Brookfield MA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617881421640-FTIISLRFM8KGTRN27IXT/Lovell-Drawing-Detail.jpg Blog - What is that face? Detail from the gravestone of Thomas Lovell, Ipswich Massachusetts. http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/4/1/gravestone-of-elisabeth-freeman monthly 0.5 2021-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617311983174-4B7FXKX36LXBYJR60IPJ/IMG_8075.jpg Blog - Gravestone of Elizabeth Freeman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617381989738-PEG6KJMJGJKOKYZIMJGC/Elizabeth-Freeman.jpg Blog - Gravestone of Elizabeth Freeman http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/3/20/flova monthly 0.5 2021-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616375215233-SPJRSAHYP684Q9K91HS6/Thomas-Gill-Detail2.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts Detail of Thomas’ gravestone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616375621418-R731JYH8KGQ0X030L94C/Thomas-Gill.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts Thomas’ gravestone clearly depicts a traditional soul effigy which is clearly bald. That combined with his age of 89 gives the strong suggestion that Thomas was also bald. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616376361485-YCAHX2CEJRD3BZLCBA8Q/Flova-Top.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts Detail of Flova’s (also called Flora) stone. This is a typical soul-effigy design that you can find on the gravestones of white people from this time and place but it is clearly a woman’s face which makes it just subtly personal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616376867907-S26SPJUHT5EMRZSH20PJ/Flova.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616377403009-SEPFJFYK8ST9F94DUAGJ/Nero-Detail.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts Detail from the gravestone believed to be for Nero. (Knoblock, pg 203) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616377510926-GE5223WI0IXAXIFNB0WD/Nero.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617311694582-1ZNYASB65ZDJAUF4DXIJ/Thomas-Drawing.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts Even when I am in a rush I like to do a drawing of a gravestone I am studying. It helps me to observe the carving details more carefully and specifically. I always notice a million things I would not notice. You just look differently when you are drawing, and slow down, like reading aloud instead of reading in your head. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1617311616227-2SYYJIVM8JLW1HIGLAWA/Flova-Drawing.jpg Blog - Thomas, Flova and Nero three enslaved people in Massachusetts When slowing down to draw these carvings I really noticed the flourishes in the lettering. As well as the misspelling and mistakes. I didn’t include the mistakes in the drawing, but there is a faint but rubbed out “d” just following “who” in this carving, the word “died” was begun too close to the previous word and then rubbed out. You can see it in the photo above. http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/3/17/my-favorite-gravestone monthly 0.5 2021-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616030742704-Z0O2QNAXJBXEYLAWJFCI/Elijah-Bordwell1.jpg Blog - My Favorite Gravestone... Tympanum of Elijah Bordwell gravestone in Montague, MA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616031172908-PXBZEKG2W1I4Z0IF76SE/Elijah-Bordwell2.jpg Blog - My Favorite Gravestone... http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/3/17/portrait monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616101652674-UPONS7V1A4QNICAU6XQ1/Patience-Watson.jpg Blog - Historic Gravestone Portraits This is from the gravestone of Patience Watson located in Plymouth, Mass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616101764423-RQDVOA1ERAF4YYDWHHYJ/Rev-Grindall-Rawson.jpg Blog - Historic Gravestone Portraits From the gravestone of Rev. Grindall Rawson in Mendon MA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616101798246-1BZZ9GJD9L0X8JGURM80/Peter-Bancroft.jpg Blog - Historic Gravestone Portraits From the gravestone of Peter Bancroft in Auburn, MA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616029614351-2P8PFSAUP9KV02HEWR16/Courtmanche.jpg Blog - Historic Gravestone Portraits From the gravestone of Gordon Courtmanche. New Haven, CT. http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/3/17/going-through-doors monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616101324931-V2E0PS8UHBHT7F3SYBV4/Thomas-Allen.jpg Blog - Going through doors... From the gravestone of Thomas Allen located in Lancaster MA. This drawing is from my sketchbook looking at a photo from the Farber Gravestone collection online. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616019724799-A76ZTEU9X7AJB4RKR5F3/IMG_8054.jpg Blog - Going through doors... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616019893533-ZT1BEAB1WLFBMSXKRSV2/IMG_8055.jpg Blog - Going through doors... http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/2021/3/17/one-year-of-staying-at-home monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616018589128-ED4K97B87H9YF4ZGQ8DI/LongWinterEdited.jpg Blog - One year of staying at home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1616018671146-4GE19BAWA2L5U94ASU7B/Girl.jpg Blog - One year of staying at home http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/category/Gravestones monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/category/Portraits monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/category/Drawings monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/self-portrait monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/Black+History monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/African-American+History monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/History+of+Slavery monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/gravestones monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/Abolition+of+Slavery monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/blog/tag/History+of+Slavery+in+New+England monthly 0.5 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/new-cover-page daily 1.0 2019-08-07 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/allison-blake-steel-2 daily 0.75 2014-01-30 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/bio daily 0.75 2018-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395753868105-GIVP9Q3KM0M3P036D85K/image-asset.jpeg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395758258436-V6QS3RS0JH1OY511KSOD/image-asset.jpeg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395758166707-I5ZXSPG9VYWWZ793C5AS/image-asset.jpeg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395758442533-T6JFH31HLJT30Y5UT9U5/image-asset.jpeg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1395758555035-KFDX5ZTRWTIWA1H69FWZ/image-asset.jpeg Biography http://www.handcarvedslate.com/home daily 0.75 2014-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391716802848-629SYKZMW3KQUIMLP5C5/etsy_button.jpg by Allison Blake Steel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391717604701-D6EQ584NI2P7JZ69M0NK/etsy_button.jpg by Allison Blake Steel http://www.handcarvedslate.com/allison-blake-steel-1 daily 0.75 2018-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519503840023-AAH6ZHH3D9PYA66JD80L/GravestoneGalleryButton.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519505744050-KXT7NSM402VWXPQ1NM6A/CommissionButtonImage.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519506075787-H03PF1XGFBQXXK05F553/OtherCarvingsGalleryButton.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519503850074-TMVMTX9NKADQB277G205/MyProcessGalleryButton.jpg Home http://www.handcarvedslate.com/allison-blake-steel daily 0.75 2014-01-30 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/commission-a-stone daily 0.75 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391660149569-SNU4P3WDJI26N7LVBCPC/TimiDesignRevision.jpg Commission a Stone - A small memorial plaque This plaque was mounted onto a larger existing stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694270593-U3Q3KDS5YT3QF8BBRZ33/LaPier1.jpg Commission a Stone - Finished carving the carving always looks better and more dramatic than the drawing. The play of light and shadow is alluring and tactile. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391059823150-2NWEV9CR3QS85M67AKBI/Winged+clock.jpg Commission a Stone I produce a full scale drawing for myself and the client. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1456001987692-3IBGOVKJ3S3P7OWF4GZL/image-asset.jpeg Commission a Stone - Monumental Slate I carefully select monumental grade slate of the highest quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391059329139-ISAGWK4Z6HXWPHHF4ADV/Transfering+the+image.jpg Commission a Stone - The design is transferred from the full scale drawing onto the stone by tracing with white carbon paper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1456002021792-EQTSHZ22LANZF799T5WJ/image-asset.jpeg Commission a Stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694455655-EM7CW57MTSSJ6KF9XS0E/Hands+Carving+2.jpg Commission a Stone - All carving is done by hand using only a brass mallet and steel chisels. There are only about a dozen artisans in this country to still practice the ancient art of carving letters by hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1456002163653-OPD6RWIKM5C3TWFWQFKS/image-asset.jpeg Commission a Stone - Building a foundation I prefer to pour my own concrete foundation using techniques developed by Monument Conservation Collaborative. Over the years they have developed many techniques for the long term preservation of stones.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391059477234-2TBYYVZD2SBU0NI278XQ/Jones+Installation+1.JPG Commission a Stone - Installing the stone Gravestones are really heavy. Usually I use a hand cart but this time I had a lot of help available. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1456002242608-H5MZSKQPWKFG8M4OJKG6/image-asset.jpeg Commission a Stone - Setting the stone into its footing and mortar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1456002328969-P5VF8VA5YISR35F76CWX/image-asset.jpeg Commission a Stone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1391694536456-RO7K5EG8STJ1UT1BJJZM/Signature+Detail.jpg Commission a Stone - Signed I always sign my pieces because I think it hints to people seeing the stone for the first time that it was made by hand. Sometimes I sign the stone below grade, buried in the soil for future historians to find. http://www.handcarvedslate.com/contact-1 daily 0.75 2018-02-10 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/biography1 daily 0.75 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518290480344-D1JH4VNTAO8LNAUR9A41/Self+Portrait+2.jpg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519499210903-OXZCA1XXP3NSIYRA9CJS/Our+House.jpg Biography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1519499245898-Y33GSIU8GSSI9H97MLEI/OSV.jpg Biography From the time she was a young teenager until her mid-twenties, Allison worked as a costumed interpreter of history at Old Sturbridge Village Museum. She introduced visitors to daily life in early 19th century New England, demonstrating music, domestic and farm work, and traditional handcrafts. At the museum, Allison was further immersed in the material culture of early New England: both the physicality of household goods and the slow processes by which these objects are made and tasks are accomplished. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518290870065-2RZ3KWHXYTTHAQBL75PF/static1.squarespace.jpg Biography In 1997 Allison encountered Sacred Harp singing, a centuries-old social hymn-singing practice. As Allison immersed herself in the local singing community and the history of the tradition, she organized a weekly singing atSmith College that still thrives, chaired the 2002 and 2006 Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Conventions, and performed with other singers on the 2004 Academy Awards. She continues to share her love for and knowledge of the tradition by teaching singing schools throughout the northeast. The themes that the hymn texts confront and explore, such as fellowship, suffering, love, death, and joy, all as experienced by individuals and communities, seeped into her art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518290954008-6FQNNIKETBT3CEB7YDY0/static1.squarespace-1.jpg Biography In college, while working on a project for Historic Northampton, her passion for Sacred Harp and her long time interest in gravestone art collided. Allison was creating a virtual web tour of the historic Bridge Street Cemetery when she encountered a stone carved with some familiar words-- a couplet by Isaac Watts and a popular Sacred Harp text: “Why should we mourn departing friends/ Or shake at deaths alarms / ‘Tis but the sound that Jesus sends / To call them to his arms.” “I had been singing this text over and over,” Allison explains, “and when you know a song and see the words written you can’t help but hear the sound of the song in your head. Standing alone in this quiet graveyard, looking at this stone that had been standing quietly for 200 years I was struck by the memory of this huge sound. And what I’d normally read as arbitrary religious funerary poetry struck me, because of my personal connections to this song, as specifically and deeply intimate.” An inanimate antique object of cold stone suddenly had a voice, and connections between mourning, monuments, and music were forged in this instant. “All of these connections were so vital to me that I’ve been making art about all of these same things ever since.” Indeed, Allison’s 1999 senior exhibition at Smith College, entitled “The Past Didn’t Go Anywhere,” showcased quilted and embroidered fabric gravestone rubbings and included a performance of traditional Sacred Harp singing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518291174421-SLSB1UDWAXUL8GGN1JR1/Carving+Profile+1+Adjusted.jpg Biography It wasn’t until 2005, while attending a workshop led by master carver and gravestone cutter Karin Sprague, that Allison began working in slate. That weekend she chiseled her first letters-- a stone that reads “I AM.” Immediately drawn to the laborious, painstaking, careful process of bringing words and images to slate, and the weighty substance of the stone itself, Allison adopted carving as one of her primary media. She is one of only about a dozen artists in America still practicing this ancient art of carving letters by hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1518291126957-0QZASH7RZ2QDHRSP8J5K/static1.squarespace-2.jpg Biography Allison presented her work at the 2006 Association for Gravestone Studies Annual Conference, and gave a lecture entitled “Songs in Stone: My Work in Carving and Singing, Hymn Texts and Early New England Gravestones.” From that point until 2010 she worked as a gravestone conservator for Monument Conservation Collaborative, restoring hundreds of early gravestones all over NY and New England. "Working as a gravestone restorer has allowed me to interact with old stones in a different way," Allison explains. "Previously I'd been attracted to them visually, academically, conceptually, and spiritually. As a carver, I feel I'm not much more physically connected and I look at the carvings with a much deeper physical understanding of what the artist did to achieve the result I see. But as a conservator I also have a kind of motherly relationship to the stones, where I pull them up off the ground, prop them back up, wipe off their faces and send them on their way to hopefully last another 200 years." http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale daily 0.75 2019-08-05 http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/tim-eriksen-gravestone-rubbing monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716761466944-BS2HAFSQPNOC4MX7VJH0/Tim+Gravestone+Rubbing+2.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Tim Eriksen Gravestone Rubbing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716761484293-ZGEGO8BKWEGKWIRVY78P/Tim+Gravestone+Rubbing+1.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Tim Eriksen Gravestone Rubbing http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/the-sacred-and-the-profane monthly 0.5 2026-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716756434825-M9M7USFQS1YI3O3ZODVK/Sacred+and+Profane.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - The Sacred and The Profane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716756439756-VE86N6BDZ0H3VSV131I5/Sacred+and+Profane+2.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - The Sacred and The Profane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716756447188-RPJZ02UP1SBNRUW9KG3E/Sacred+and+Profane+Detail.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - The Sacred and The Profane http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/give-joy-or-grief-print monthly 0.5 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716755108641-W178KV5YMND7TORZDXYP/Give+Joy+or+Grief.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Give Joy or Grief http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/genrous-fruits monthly 0.5 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716754346344-4SCQ01I415EVBYCWQEJV/IMG_4158.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Gen'rous Fruits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716754580448-SZR2BFT6VCQSNB7Q5I7P/Genrous+Fruits+3.JPG Carvings and Art for Sale - Gen'rous Fruits http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/genrous-fruits-wjdxl monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716754580448-SZR2BFT6VCQSNB7Q5I7P/Genrous+Fruits+3.JPG Carvings and Art for Sale - Gen'rous Fruits Matted https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716754346344-4SCQ01I415EVBYCWQEJV/IMG_4158.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Gen'rous Fruits Matted http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/tim-eriksen monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716753341968-SISS1GT4FHAC43RZWACK/Tim.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Tim Eriksen http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/deidra-montgomery monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716752876532-FSSR1GQTLHUEX0NRXLOW/Deidra+2.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Deidra Montgomery http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/singing-friends-print monthly 0.5 2026-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1716751570065-T0TRD5SN9NE9ML6NOHH4/Singing+Friends.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Singing Friends Print http://www.handcarvedslate.com/carvings-and-art-for-sale/long-winter monthly 0.5 2024-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1565030698130-1EFMZFYJLV6HGIT1P998/Portrait+Detail2.jpg Carvings and Art for Sale - Long Winter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e9b827e4b0b4acf3847722/1565030688394-0VDI8O2ZE6AXSTOGKTT4/_MG_0097.jpeg Carvings and Art for Sale - Long Winter