{"id":13,"date":"2014-03-15T08:41:45","date_gmt":"2014-03-15T08:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2026-10-04T11:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T11:02:38","slug":"about-me","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/?page_id=13","title":{"rendered":"About Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sculptor: Jan Gosling, Waipawa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ad014cc00a4b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ad014cc00a4b\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"264\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-4-739ea9034ab3.jpg\" alt=\"White limestone sculpture with fern fronds and two unfurling spirals\" class=\"wp-image-26\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-4-739ea9034ab3.jpg 264w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-4-739ea9034ab3-198x300.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 264px) 100vw, 264px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I began carving in stone in March 2000 after the death of my father. My father\u2019s death is very significant to my work as he was the one to teach me basic woodcarving skills when I was a teenager. I also bought my very first piece of Oamaru stone on the morning he died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He, and my mother, also gave me an appreciation of New Zealand\u2019s forests\u2026 and many of my pieces are derived from the unique forms of the New Zealand bush. My carving skills have changed to accommodate using a different medium from wood and many of my stone-carving techniques have been self-taught or adapted from wood carving techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ad014cc0128f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ad014cc0128f\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"1003\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-23-e370d4156b39.jpg\" alt=\"Openwork limestone sculpture with curling fern forms\" class=\"wp-image-42\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-23-e370d4156b39.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-23-e370d4156b39-157x300.jpg 157w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I find the stone soft and easy to work, but it also has a strength which allows fairly fine detail, and if sanded with a fine grade sandpaper and be finished with a very fine, smooth surface which can make the piece tactile as well as visual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each piece of stone has an individual quality. Some pieces can be almost pure white, while others have fossils and veins of iron oxide running through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often the nature of the stone cannot be seen until it is cut into, revealing hidden secret and a uniqueness which can never be replicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I get my inspiration for a lot of my sculptures from the New Zealand natural environment, using soft flowing forms of ferns, seashells and flowing water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ad014cc019a2&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ad014cc019a2\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"197\" height=\"408\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/introimg3-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tall limestone palm sculpture with layered fronds on a carved column\" class=\"wp-image-167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/introimg3-1.jpg 197w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/introimg3-1-145x300.jpg 145w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I enjoy exploring shapes and shapes, and the interaction of light and shadows which I feel is emphasised even more with this white stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soft curves are a feature of my carving and this is translated too in my exploration of the human figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ad014cc0200f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ad014cc0200f\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-3-bc6eed0e2866-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Curved limestone human figure viewed from the side in a garden\" class=\"wp-image-25\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-3-bc6eed0e2866-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-3-bc6eed0e2866-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-3-bc6eed0e2866-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/psa-gallery\/cpg-3-bc6eed0e2866.jpg 1242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some features are exaggerated and others are muted to give a sensual, stylized figure which has a distinctly New Zealand feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And with most of my human forms the works are finely sanded so that the piece can be enjoyed through touch as well as visually.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sculptor: Jan Gosling, Waipawa I began carving in stone in March 2000 after the death of my father. My father\u2019s death is very significant to my work as he was the one to teach me basic woodcarving skills when I was a teenager. I also bought my very first piece of Oamaru stone on the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":172,"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions\/172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.positivelystoneaged.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}