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Happy New Year! It’s wet and windy outside and the beginning of another new Year. 

2023 brought with it exciting events and opportunities. 

Jurassic Whispers from the forge….

It was a slow start to the year, but with it came creative opportunities. I’ve always been fascinated with the Jurassic era, so being left to my own devices I decided to make the most beautiful large 1-meter Ammonite sculpture. A stainless steel ammonite sculpture is quite challenging but shows the beauty of nature’s golden section perfectly and it wasn’t long until a private collector snapped it up. 

It was only a matter of time before I thought to make another dinosaur, and so the T-Rex reared its beautiful skull, and my second dinosaur sculpture was created measuring just over 1 meter, mounted upon a beautiful wooden plinth. I think creating a life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex may have been that one step too far, plus my workshop just isn’t big enough……….

What I did manage to make, was another Stag sculpture, ready to put on a show at exhibitions around the forest, including the renowned New Forest Show. He now resides at the beautiful Chewton Glen Hotel, greeting the residents as they enter the hotel.

Remembering…

After a successful summer of exhibitions with the likes of Palais De Vaches, showcasing my Stag sculpture, and Beaulieu Sculpture Park showing a few of my smaller pieces, such as the small manta ray sculpture and the fun wild Boar, with various sculptures being shipped off to the likes of the United States and South of France, and many around the UK, the Autumn time had me thinking of my upcoming Annual Poppy hunt. Each year I feel the need to do something a little different, and 2023 I think didn’t disappoint.

Having discovered these stunning brass buttons whilst trawling the internet, dating back to World War 1 and 2, it made every bit of sense to add them to the center of my poppy sculptures. 

Whilst I was adding them into each of the poppies it made me think of the reality of where they had come from, and once in the past a solider had worn this on his uniform with such pride, it made it all that more significant, and why every year we need to remember what these soldiers went through. 

An incredibly successful Poppy hunt ensued, with all the wonderful locals of the New Forest getting involved, and as ever their dedication is wonderful, trying to find where I have hidden each poppy. I don’t think there was a poppy not found within 20 minutes of me posting the clue on my Instagram page. Once all the first 11 were found, the Auction of the other 11 I had made was underway. The top bids reached over £500 per poppy, through the incredible generosity of members of the public, and many service men and women.

I was completely blown away by the munificence of everyone and interest in the poppies. We raised a staggering £6,600 through the poppy hunt and auction of the 21 poppies, incredible!!

2024

So, back in 2024, with the wind and rain whipping around my workshop, another creative opportunity arises. Considering 2024 is the year of the dragon (which is actually my year…), perhaps this is where my journey takes me……. Stay tuned for future posts on my Instagram page…..

Happy New Year to you all, and I do hope it’s a good one.

Stainless steel sculptures are a great addition to any home or garden. They are durable, low-maintenance, and come in a variety of styles to suit any taste.

Unlike Bronze, Stainless steel can be much more a cost-effective option for your garden sculptures.

These are some of the benefits of commissioning a stainless steel sculpture:

• Durability. Stainless steel is a very strong and durable material. It is not susceptible to rust or corrosion, and it can withstand extreme weather conditions. This makes it a great choice for outdoor sculptures. All of Michaels garden sculptures are made with 316 Stainless Steel.
• Low-maintenance. Stainless steel sculptures do not require any special care or maintenance. They can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, and they will not fade or discolor over time.
• Variety of styles. Michael has made many different types of sculptures in the past. Anything from a small acorn to a full-scale leaping horse sculpture.

If you are looking for a beautiful and durable addition to your home or garden, a stainless steel sculpture is a great option. They are sure to add a touch of elegance and luxury to your home.

With a little planning and effort, you can find the perfect stainless steel sculpture for your home or garden. Just get in touch with us, and Jenny or Michael will be delighted to help

Most people, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, love making this space a nice place to look at or just sit in. I’m lucky enough to have a beautiful view out of our living room, of green fields and a few sprinklings of sheep. On occasion, when I’m not working, I like to spend time in the garden, making it look nice for me and the family. 

You might think I have all my sculptures in my garden, but as an artist, I try not to have lots of my work at home, I’d quite honestly find it too distracting! My wife, however, loves to have some of my sculptures dotted around the home and in the garden. She feels that it enhances the space, and the shiny stainless steel, against a backdrop of green grass or wood, really makes it pop. Not only is it nice to look at, but it also breaks up an area. 

Choosing to have sculptures or artwork in your garden can be a very personal thing. Unlike planting just flowers, you have the opportunity to show off some of your own personality, through your very own garden sculpture.

That’s what I love about this job, everyone usually has slightly different ideas from the next. I’ve had a client commission a full-scale leaping horse sculpture, placed at the bottom of their beautiful gardens. Making sure they can see it from a certain angle in the house. There’s been a velociraptor poking out of the bushes next to a swimming pool. The simple, yet beautiful dragonfly resting on the wooden fence panels. The most popular of all is the crocodile garden sculpture, lazing by the pool. Possibly one of my favorites.

Whatever your taste, it’s certainly a fun journey to discovering what suits you, and your garden. With spring around the corner, it’s the time of year when it won’t be long before the green buds will start showing, the days get longer and lighter. You might be thinking of landscaping your garden. Or just planting a few bulbs. Whichever it may be, have a thought about what might enhance that space. Surely a stainless-steel hare or pig sculpture would be perfect?!….

If you would like to see some of my garden sculptures in person, then please visit the wonderful Chewton Glen Hotel. My sculptures can be seen in their amazing kitchen garden. And while you’re there, I hear their afternoon tea is amazing!

If you are interested in any of my garden sculptures, just get in touch via the contact form, or phone, and either Jenny or I will be delighted to help.

The New Forest Poppy Hunt will be held on Sunday 14th November this year (2021).

I honestly cant believe this New Forest Poppy Hunt is running into its the seventh year?! This year will be bigger and better. I really want to try and raise as much money as I can for The Royal British Legion.

For those of you who don’t know, I will be hiding 11 poppies around the New Forest, Local to me (Lymington, Milford On Sea, Beaulieu, Burley etc…). I will Post an image onto my instagram page of the first poppy around 7am. The first to find that poppy will get to keep it. I only ask that you donate to the Royal British Legion. I will have a charity page set up on my Facebook page for donations. I will repeat this 11 times throughout the day.

If you are local, and want to get involved in the hunt, then make sure you are following me on instagram or Facebook. I will give you all the instructions you need to follow the hunt a day or two before.

For those who aren’t local, and want to get hold of one of my poppies, then you will have the opportunity to bid on one, once the hunt has taken place.

The highest bids will get a poppy, there will be 10 available to bid on over a week. This year I have one very special poppy that has been dipped in 24 carat gold (courtesy of the very generous Ecoplating). This will be Auctioned off separately.

10 Red Poppies and 1 Gold are up for Auction this week (8th – 14th November) – the first 10 highest bids will win a Red one. Please email me on info@michaelturnerstudios.co.uk to put in a bid and please State RED Poppy.

The Gold Poppy with a a generous donation of a dining experience with the Beautiful Chewton Glen Hotel* Please email me on info@michaelturnerstudios.co.uk to bid and State GOLD Poppy.

All bids will be announced on Sunday afternoon / Evening. Please do express if you would like to remain anonymous.

(*Dining experience to be taken between Monday and Thursday)

Im afraid I don’t make the poppies to sell. Every year I have many requests to buy one, but the only way you can get one is to find one, or to be a lucky bidder……

GOOD LUCK to everyone!

To donate please go to www.justgiving.com/Michael-Turner-Studios