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Story behind the artwork

The birth of this piece was unlike any other. There was no plan, no sketch, and no preparation. It began on a grey, overcast morning while I was sitting in a traffic jam on the motorway. In a split second, a complete image flashed through my mind. It wasn't a vague idea; it was a finished work, clear and undeniable.

The vision was so demanding that when I finally reached my workshop, I pushed aside all my scheduled commissions. I knew I had to forge this immediately. I didn't draw a single line on paper; I simply looked at the "blueprint" stored in my mind and began to work. It was as if my hands were merely following a map that had already been drawn.

The Dance of Fire and Oil: To create the background, I used my signature technique of burning oil into the iron. Anyone who has worked with fire knows that controlling the way oil carbonizes on a surface is incredibly difficult—it is a partnership with chance. Yet, that day, the fire behaved exactly as it needed to. Without my interference, the textures formed a perfect, atmospheric backdrop for the central subject.

I forged the crown of thorns separately, hammer-stroke by hammer-stroke, and mounted it as a relief onto the base. The entire process was finished in a single day, driven by an energy I can only describe as a "flow state."

A Presence in the Room: When I brought the finished piece home and hung it on the wall, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The sculpture carried a heavy, solemn energy—so strong that even my partner felt it. While she admired the work, she admitted that its presence was almost too intense for a domestic living space. I agreed. Some art isn't meant to be "decor"; it is meant for reflection and sanctuary.

Because of this, I decided to donate the Crown of Thorns to the community at St. Peter’s Church, located right next to my workshop. They had previously accepted my first sculpture of Jesus, and they were deeply grateful for this second gift.

Today, the piece has found its true purpose. Every year, during the Easter season, the church displays the Crown of Thorns for the congregation. It has moved from a vision in a traffic jam to a permanent part of a community’s spiritual tradition.

The stories behind my artwork, the opportunities in The Lighthouse, and the reflections of the Morning Muse are my ways of keeping the lamp lit for our creative community. These resources will always be free to access. If they have found you at the right time, consider fueling the forge to help keep the fire burning. Your support, in any amount, is deeply appreciated.

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