LUKE BATCHELOR SCULPTOR
Stone Sculptor and Artist, based in the Scottish Borders
Welcome! I’m a Stone Sculptor, Carver, Artist and Conservator living and working in the beautiful Scottish Borders. I specialise in private commissions like memorials, house signs, and sculptures, and I also work on larger public space commissions.
Follow me on Instagram and sign up the newsletter to keep up to date with my projects and exhibitions. I also offer stone carving classes from time to time.
ABOUT LUKE
I’m a Stone Sculptor and Carver, Artist and Gold Squeeze expert living and working within the Scottish Borders. My passion is creating unique and bespoke works by hand, with the very best local and environmentally friendly materials.
From my workshop, at the Hirsel Estate in Coldstream, I largely work on private commissions as well as creating my own works, including stone sculptures and gold squeezes.
Whilst Growing up in North Northumberland I became fascinated by the historic monuments, buildings and carvings that are found across the county.
Being dyslexic, and unable to read until the age of 12, I was passionate about art from a young age. After leaving school, I trained as a Historic Building Conservator and worked on conservation projects across the North East and Scotland including the restoration of Rosslyn Chapel.
With the support of Historic Environment Scotland and a large Bursary Award from Heritage Crafts I went on to train with stone carvers with in the UK and abroad. In 2018, I decided to move home to the North East and set up my own workshop. Through word of mouth, one commission lead to another and I slowly built my business to what it is today.
"For me being an artist is a way of life, I really couldn't imagine doing anything else. I have dedicated my life to being the best that I can, and although it was difficult when I first started off, I now find it very rewarding and love having my own space within such a beautiful setting - I feel very lucky!"
COMMISSIONING WORKS
I love to work with my clients to bring their ideas to life. Commissioning and realising a piece takes communication and collaboration. It’s my job to show you what may or may not work, we finalise a design and I get to work!
Below you’ll see some of the most popular services, and some useful info on the process involved.
Pet Memorials
Pet memorials are very popular and a beautiful way to remember your beloved animal.
As a dog owner myself and a lover of animals, I work closely with clients to find the right design and memorial that reflects their unique pet.
House Numbers + Signs
This is also a very popular service. Whatever your requirements we will work together to find the best stone and style for you.
Hand crafted with traditional tools, these signs are statement pieces.
Sculptures
Skilfully hand crafted using local stone, each sculpture is a unique piece that will look great indoors or out in the garden.
I love to work with clients to bring their ideas to life. Creating unique and bespoke pieces of art to last a lifetime.
Headstones
Hand carved unique headstones to commemorate your loved one.
We work together to find a design that you like, and that feels like a true reflection of the person being remembered.
COMMISSIONING A SMALLER PROJECT
House Numbers, Signs etc
Starting over email, you tell me what you would like and I will send a free, rough design and cost estimation.
Once we agree a design and stone type, I will refine the drawing and send it to you for final approval, with cost and time scale for completion.
Once design, cost and time scale agreed, I order the stone and the carving begins.
Each letter is carefully drawn and carved by hand using traditional chisels, given a unique and highly crafted finish.
COMMISSIONING A LARGER PROJECT
Memorials, Sculptures etc.
For memorials, I first invite clients to my workshop to discuss the project in depth, to get a clear picture of who the memorial is for, and to advise clients on what stones and designs are possible. I often ask clients to bring in photos and objects, which helps give me a deeper connection and meaning to the work.
For sculptures I also invite clients to my workshop for an initial discussion. So we can explore ideas and get some clarity on what they are looking for and what is possible.
l use this information to draw up a unique hand drawn design for the memorial or sculpture which I will send out alongside a break down of the costs and time scale.
Once approved, a 50% payment is needed, which allows me to order the stone and start carving.
Final 50% of payment is due on completion of the piece.
WHAT IS A GOLD SQUEEZE?
Gold Squeezes begin by hand carving the design into stone, then pressing handmade paper into the cast. Once dried and sealed the finishing touch is to carefully gild with stunning 24 carat gold leaf, ready to be mounted and framed.
This is a labour intensive process and due to the casting method each cast is unique in its own way. Only a limited edition are made from each stone carving, before the stone is repurposed.
Luke developed this technique and passion for these unique and original works whilst being filmed for BBC One’s ‘Make It At Market’, which aired in January 2023.
BIOGRAPHY
2023, BBC1 Make It At Market
2020 - 2022, Rediscovering The Antonine Wall. Wins first large public artwork commission with design for Rediscovering The Antonine Wall Project - Falkirk’s New Distance Stone. Working in collaboration with Josephine Crossland at Hutton Stone
2018, Sets up Stone Carving workshop in The Scottish Borders.
2015, Training in marble carving, Pietrasanta, Italy with Christian Lange
25/08/14 - 1/09/15, Historic Environment Scotland. Craft Fellowship. This involved training and working alongside craftsmen and women across Scotland as well as working with Graciela Ainsworth sculpture conservation
1/03/13 - 1/07/14, Nic Boyes Stone Conservation LTD, Edinburgh. Stone Conservator. This involved working within the private conservation company and working to consolidate important heritage buildings such as Rosslyn Chapel and St Giles cathedral
Awards
York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship BursaryAward, 2019
Funds used to purchase specialist lifting equipment for workshop
National Association of Decorative and Fine arts / Heritage Crafts Bursary Award
Fundings used and train in marble carving in Pietrasanta, Italy, with Christian Lange
Education
2008 - 2009, Newcastle College, Newcastle, BTEC Foundation in Art and Design.
2010 -2011, Bournemouth University, Weymouth College, Foundation Degree in
Science - Applied Architectural Stonework and Conservation. Merit
2011 - 2013, Kingston University, London. Bachelor of Science with Hons in Historic Building Conservation: Upper Second Class
